Theralase Successfully Expands Cancer Destruction Applications

Brain and Colon Cancer Cells Killed by Light Activated Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs) - Suggesting a Promising Approach for Cancer Therapy

Toronto, Ontario – October 27, 2011, Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) announced today results of investigational studies demonstrating destruction of specific brain and colon cancer cell lines, when successfully treated with Theralase’s patented light activated Photo Dynamic Compounds (PDCs).

Roger Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated, “This new research expands the application of Theralase’s patented PDC technology in the cancer field and introduces the potential for a successful impact on two devastating forms of cancer; specifically, brain and colon cancer. Our research has demonstrated a significant kill rate of greater than 90% in specific human brain and colon cancer cells lines. These results now lay the groundwork for further pre-clinical trials, which if proved successful may lead to human clinical trials. Theralase plans to aggressively pursue commercialization of its ground-breaking PDT technology through the accelerated FDA regulatory approval process. This FDA process “fast-tracks” approval when a treatment is shown, through proven success rate, to have a positive impact on serious, life-threatening medical conditions for which no other drug or treatment exists or is as effective. Theralase also plans to continue its research and development to optimize its PDCs, from the same platform, to destroy a variety of life threatening cancers.”

Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer at Theralase Inc. stated, “We are extremely pleased with our results. Remarkably, with only 10 minutes of light exposure by Theralase’s proprietary light source is sufficient to effectively energize Theralase’s patented Photo Dynamic Compounds to destroy human brain and colon cancer cells in-vitro. Moreover, initial drug stability testing suggests that the efficacy of the PDC was not compromised even after one year of storage at appropriate conditions. This suggests a highly stable compound, which is an important consideration in product clinical development and commercialization. Further studies are planned to correlate these findings with improvement in brain and colon cancer survival.”

About Theralase Technologies Inc.

Theralase Technologies Inc. founded in 1995, designs, develops, manufactures and markets patented, superpulsed laser technology utilized in biostimulation and biodestruction applications. The technology is safe and effective in the treatment of chronic pain, neural muscular-skeletal conditions and wound healing. When combined with its patented, light-sensitive Photo Dynamic Compounds, Theralase laser technology is able to specifically target and destroy cancers, bacteria, viruses as well as microbial pathogens associated with food contamination. For further information please visit www.theralase.com, regulatory filings may be viewed by visiting www.sedar.com. 

This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For More Information

Roger Dumoulin-White                                                                                

President & CEO,                            

416-447-8455 ext. 225                                   

rwhite@theralase.com                

Greg Bewsh

Director of Investor Relations,

416-447-8455 ext. 262

gbewsh@theralase.com   

Therapeutic Choices for Rehabilitation

Cold Laser Therapy and Patient Programs

Written by Rhonda Mostyn, BSc, DC, Cert LT Rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries involves integrating the best possible therapeutic tools at the optimal phases of healing. It’s kind of like baking. Use the finest chocolate in your cake, mix all the ingredients properly and you’ll turn out a quality dessert. For the patient, the dessert is simply feeling and functioning better in the fastest time possible. With new therapeutic products promoted on a regular basis, practitioners must make informed decisions when choosing the most effective tools for their patient programs. Technological advances in health-care products have made coming to these decisions even more challenging as the practitioner is obligated to stay up to date with new technology. As well, patients are more likely to “shop around” for the best choices in therapy. 

Lateral epicondylitis cold laser treatment. For rehabilitation practitioners, as well as patients, cold laser therapy, an emerging technology, has become a frequent therapeutic choice. In this article we’ll look at why cold lasers have gained popularity in the area of injury rehabilitation.

EFFECTS ON HEALING: INFLAMMATION
Healing of soft tissue injuries can be generalized into three key phases: (1) initial inflammatory phase, (2) tissue repair stage, and (3) remodelling phase.1 The goal of integrating laser into the patient’s rehabilitation program will be to hasten or re-activate the healing process by stimulating each of these phases of healing.  

The initial inflammatory phase, characterized by pain, swelling, redness and warmth, is an important stage of healing. Monocytes and macrophages aid in clearing necrotic material and angiogenesis takes place. In the case of rehabilitation of chronic injuries, inflammation has often been prolonged and is interfering with the progress to subsequent phases of healing.

Initiating cold laser therapy in the early stages of healing reduces the incidence of chronic inflammatory conditions. One of the most important functions of cold laser therapy is that it stimulates the metabolism of cells in damaged tissue and leads to increased cellular byproducts, including ATP. This increase in ATP can then be used to fuel an array of reparative processes required for healing in the tissues. The formation of new blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and collagen fibres is stimulated. Laser therapy also produces temporary vasodilation of blood vessels and activation of lymphatic vessels. The increased blood flow in the area helps to clear away inflammatory products while the enhanced lymphatic drainage removes the interstitial fluid that builds up in the inflamed site.

COLD LASERS AND TISSUE REPAIR
In addition to clearing away inflammation, cold laser therapy plays an important role in tissue repair. When damaged tissue is irradiated by laser, the number of fibroblasts in the tissue increases. Fibroblasts actively create new collagen by synthesizing the collagen precursor procollagen and modifying the procollagen into tropocollagen. The tropocollagen assembles into collagen fibrils, which then assemble into collagen fibres. New collagen fibres are then used to repair damaged tissue in the area, including ligaments, tendons and muscles.

Research has shown that chronic overuse injuries such as tendinosis are associated with a failed healing response in which the body’s fibroblasts produce abnormal tendon and ligament collagen.^2,3 The normal parallel bundled fibre structure is disturbed; the continuity of the collagen is lost, with disorganized fibre structure and evidence of both collagen repair and collagen degeneration. Laser therapy, on the other hand, has been shown to promote new tissue fibres that are well organized and have up to 30 per cent greater tensile strength.

IMPROVED STRENGTH OF LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS
Fung et al. studied the morphology of collagen fibrils in healing medial collateral ligaments (MCL) in rats. The MCLs were surgically transected and were divided into three groups: those receiving laser treatment at a higher power (63.2 J/cm2), those receiving laser treatment at a reduced power (31.6 J/cm2), and a control group receiving no laser treatment. When the MCLs were examined at three and six weeks  post surgery by electron microscopy, the researchers discovered that both laser-treated groups showed an increase in collagen fibril size.⁴

In a separate study, Oliveira et al. looked at the effect of laser therapy on healing of transacted Achilles tendons in rats. The researchers used polarization microscopy to examine and compare the collagen fibres in healing tendons of rats irradiated with laser compared with those in a control group. Their results supported an improvement in collagen fibre organization in the laser-treated group over the controls.⁵

WHERE DOES LASER FIT IN?
Laser therapy should be initiated from the first phase of rehabilitation to decrease inflammation and promote tissue healing. Decreased inflammation will aid in pain reduction and tissue healing will limit atrophy and fibrosis in tissues. In this author’s experience, the number of sessions required is largely dependent on the chronicity of the injury. Treatment initiated early in an acute injury may only require two to three weeks of care, whereas laser therapy initiated at a later phase, or for a chronic injury, will require about four to six weeks of treatment.  

A COMMON PRESENTATION: LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
There have been many studies reporting the efficacy of cold laser therapy treatment for lateral epicondylitis.^6,7,8  Oken, et al. compared the effects of cold laser therapy to bracing or ultrasound in a prospective, randomized controlled trial. They divided 58 patients into three groups: bracing plus exercise, ultrasound plus exercise, and CLT plus exercise. Results from this study showed that bracing had a shorter beneficial effect than did ultrasound and laser therapy in reducing pain, and that laser was more effective than bracing and ultrasound in improving grip strength after treatment.⁹  In another study, Stergioulas compared treatment with a combination of laser and plyometric exercises to sham laser and plyometric exercises in 50 patients. Patients were treated for eight weeks, one to two times per week. The laser plus exercise group had a significant decrease in pain, increase in wrist range of motion and in grip strength and improved weight test results compared to the exercise only group at eight weeks of treatments and at eight weeks followup.¹⁰

Laser treatment for rehabilitation of this injury should be focused on repairing damage and minimizing fibrosis at the point of attachment of extensor carpi radialis brevis at the lateral elbow. Treatment can also be performed over the forearm extensor muscles to increase microcirculation and relax the muscles. Laser light is well absorbed by chromophore-rich blood, which is abundant in most tissues. However, relatively avascular structures such as tendons require relatively higher doses of laser light. A typical course of laser treatments for chronic lateral epicondylitis would require three to six weeks of treatments, scheduled a minimum of twice weekly.

CHOOSING A LASER FOR YOUR FACILITY
Once a rehabilitation practitioner has decided that a cold laser device will be an efficacious addition to their patient programs, they should spend time investigating and comparing laser systems. It’s important to choose a system that will best fit with their facility. For instance, if a large proportion of patients present with lower back pain or myofascial syndromes, a system with multiple lasers would be best to cover these large treatment areas. Short treatment times are very valuable in high-volume clinics in keeping pace with patient demand. Portability of the laser may be important in large facilities with several practitioners and treatment rooms. For any facility, a system that is easy to learn and operate is always best. The practitioner should also ensure that extensive training and support materials are included to minimize time out of their busy schedule for training new staff. 

Although all cold lasers are not created equal, research supports this technology as an effective tool for healing musculoskeletal injuries. This research is valuable but it is not the key to the rising popularity of lasers in rehabilitation. Satisfied patients and practitioners drive this trend. An increase in high-quality laser products accommodates the needs of various facilities and thus supports this trend. In fact, the question is whether cold laser therapy is, in fact, a trend at all, as it establishes a solid reputation as treatment of choice in facilities nationwide.

References

1. Tendon Injury and Tendinopathy: Healing and Repair, Sharma, P, Maffulli, N., The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2005; 87:187-202.
2. Chronic Achilles tendinopathy. A survey of surgical and histopathological findings. Astrom M, Rausing A. Clin Orthop Jul; (316):151-64, 1995.
3. Trauma modifies strength and composition of retrodiscal tissues of goat temporomandibular joint. Cooper B, Oberdorfer ML, Rumpf D, Malakhova OE, Rudman RA, Mariotti A. Oral Diseases 5:329-336, 1999.
4. Effects of a Therapeutic Laser on the Ultrastructural Morphology of Repairing Medial Collateral Ligament in a Rat Model. Fung DT, Ng GY, Leung MC, Tay DK.   Lasers Surg Med. 2003; 32(4):286-93.
5. Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy With Different Therapy Regimes on The Process of Tissue Repair in Partial Lesion Calcaneous Tendon. Oliveira et al.  Lasers Surg Med 2009 Apr; 41(4):271-6.
6. A  Systematic Review with Procedural Assessments and Meta-Analysis of Low Level Laser Therapy in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy. Bjordal JM, Lopes-Martins RA, et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disord. 2008 May 29; 9:75
7. Effects of 904 nm Low Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Lateral  Epicondylitis: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Lam LK, Cheing GL.  Photomed Laser Surg. 2007 Apr; 25(2):65-71.
8. Treatment of Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis with Low Level Laser Therapy: A Multicenter Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study on 324 Patients. Simunovic Z, Trobonjaca T, Trobonjaca Z.  J Clin Laser Med Surg 1998 Jun; 16(3):145-51.
9. The Short Term Effect of Laser, Brace, and Ultrasound Treatment in Lateral Epicondylitis: a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Oken, O, Kahraman, Y, et al.  J Hand Ther. 2008 Jan-Mar; 21:63-7.
10. Effects of Low Level Laser and Plyometric Exercises in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis. Stergioulas A, Photomed Laser Surg. 2007 Jun; 25(3):205-13.

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Dr. Rhonda Mostyn, a chiropractor and certified laser technician, is the clinic director at Theralase, a leading Canadian manufacturer and distributor of cold lasers. As director, she oversees all aspects of patient laser treatment programs, clinical trials, training, and practitioner education. She has lectured extensively and published numerous articles on the topic of laser therapy. Prior to joining Theralase, Dr. Mostyn was the director of a multidisciplinary wellness clinic in Toronto from 1996-2006. 


For further information please call 1-866-843-5273 or visit www.theralase.com

COLD LASER THERAPY SEMINAR in TORONTO - Earn 6 CE Credits

COLD LASER THERAPY SEMINAR Sponsored by CMCC Register now for the seminar to learn about Cold Lasers and how they can be safely and effectively applied. Earn 6 Hours of CE credits in ON      . This one day lecture and hands-on workshop will focus on the use of laser therapy in the practice. It will also provide participants with the material and theories on how lasers work, the effects of lasers on living tissue, and the use of lasers in treating specific neuromuscular conditions . http://www.theralase.com/brochures/Toronto_CMCC_11-2011.pdf  Approved for 6 CE Credits in ON SEMINAR DETAILS DATE: Saturday November 26th, 2011 TIME:  9:00 am - 4:00 pm PRICE:  $199 CMCC Members & $250 Non Members VENUE:      CMCC 6100 Leslie St. Toronto, ON SPEAKERS Albert Scales, DC Rhonda Mostyn, BSc, DC Roger White, PEng You Will Learn: Understand how laser light affects tissues and healing Identify musculoskeletal injury types that are indicated for laser treatments as a primary or adjunctive form of treatment Design laser treatment programs, including frequency of treatments, duration or care, and best ways to target injured areas for musculoskeletal injuries in clinical practice. Select optimal laser dosage, including power and time settings, to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions in a clinical setting Operate a laser safely, including the safe design of a laser treatment room and all patient and technician safety. Differentiate between various laser equipment by comparing key parameters involved in this technology. Open to DCs, NDs, PTs, RMTs, RNs and Dentists. WANT MORE INFO? By Phone: 1•866•843•5273 Online: www.theralase.com Download the registration brochure here: http://www.theralase.com/brochures/Toronto_CMCC_11-2011.pdf Regards, The Theralase Team 1-866-843-5273 Theralase Web Site Theralase Laser Clinic Clinic Locator

Prominent Chiropractor In NYC Presents And Explains The Health Benefits Concerning Cold Laser Therapy

The first time I watched star wars, I was 6 years old. I remember my good friend going on and on about Darth Vader and C3PO. He was captivated by these characters. I, on the other hand, was fascinated by the light saber. I figured it was the coolest stuff that I had ever cast my young eyes on. The light saber was a laser sword that may cut through almost any substance, and could only be averted by another light saber.

It was subsequently the first laser of any type that I could remember, and I battled several mock light saber duels with my fellow star wars jedi wannabes. I thought a laser of any sort was a dangerous and powerful weaponry and not just many years soon after, while seeing the dentist, did I realize it's healing capabilities.

Low Laser Light therapy or cold laser therapy is a treatment modality that I have been investigating and serious about for many years. A lot of my co-workers have reported great outcomes with this equipment that it sparked my fascination. The health advantages of the low level laser include:

Reduces inflammation Relieves both acute and chronic pain Speeds up tissue repair Improves the quality and tensile strength of the tissue Increases blood supply Motivates faster clot formation and wound healing Energizes the immune system Stimulates nerve function Develops muscle tissue and collagen Helps produce new and healthy tissues and cells Assists in neuroplasticity May be used on acupuncture points Can be utilized for desensitization to food in tolerances.

These are merely a few of the possible outcomes and applications.

Biological light receptors in tissue are known as chromophores. Chromophores have been researched to get an optimum therapeutic activation at 660nm to 905 nm wavelength. It is the triggering of these chromophores that causes many healing biochemical reactions. As an example, the moment a chromophore is stimulated the oxygen carrying capacity of blood in the region being cured increases by 3 times, which aids in the healing process. It's the collimation, coherency and polarization of the laser light that allows the light to enter the skin and activate the chromophore.

The person does not feel heat and has very little sensation, and it also requires very little time to treat an area.

Ever since I have been using low level laser therapy in my practice, I have seen great results with numerous patients. This week, a patient visited my office after getting into a minor car accident. Her neck was in spasm, and she could barely move her head towards the left. I pressed on her trapezius and levator scapulae muscles, and she answered with an "Ouch that's actually gentle."

I performed sweeping movements with the laser for about 90 seconds on both of these muscles. As Soon As I touched these muscles right after utilizing the low level laser, she pointed out that the tenderness had gotten better and had about 60% reduced aches and pains in these muscles. After the laser treatment, I performed a gentle spinal manipulation on her neck, and she stated that the manipulation was fluid, not painful, and she felt a lot better.

Another patient came into the practice with tennis elbow (pain around the lateral side of the elbow). I made use of the low level laser, and he reported a significant decline in pain after 6 sessions. There's a great article that covers low level laser treatment of tendinopathy in the journal Photomed Laser Surg, 2010.

Several people have uncovered what foods or allergens are a concern for their bodies by means of the nutrition response testing technique. I have recently released a desensitization technique that uses laser acupuncture to guide the entire body to be tolerant to these foods again. Right after using the laser on the master points and the patient complying with 3 weeks of refraining totally from these foods, many are already capable to tolerate these foods again. Applying the laser on these points functions as a kind of rewiring, so the body doesn't react in the same manner and reacts better to these foods.

As we continue to discover and appreciate the advantages of light as a therapy, may there be increased light in all of your lives!

Manhattan Chiropractor, Dr. Louis Granirer, is regarded as a widely recognized alternative healer, healing anything from upper back and spine pain to digestive system and food disorders. If you are looking a new Chiropractor in NYC, then take a look at his Internet site to get more information and facts regarding his chiropractic treatments.

For more information please call 1-866-843-5273 or visit www.theralase.com 

Grow your Business and Profits with Laser Therapy

Grow your Business and Profits with Laser Therapy

Register today for the webinar presentation  Date:  Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 Time:  1:00 PM EST https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/549619482 This webinar will be presented by Dr. Peter Lemasurier, Director of Center for Advanced Healing and Pain Management in Toronto. Learn how Dr. Lemasurier’s successful integration of cold laser therapy into his patient care programs has yielded satisfied patients and growing profits Learn how he markets and promotes his laser services  Learn how to increase your patient volume Time management - juggling modalities  Advertising and marketing of laser practice Learn how he has grown his business by maximizing utilization of the laser by his multidisciplinary team and incorporation of new laser services. Gain information on fees and billing practices and the potential for great return on your investment in a Theralase laser. Regards, The Theralase Team www.theralase.com Theralase Laser Clinic Clinic Locator 1-866-843-5273

Athletes Suffering From Knee Injuries Find Cold Laser Therapy over Knee Surgery an Option

A knee injury саח bе a painful аחԁ debilitating hold up fοr anyone, bυt fοr athletes experiencing knee problems іt саח bе a deal breaker tһаt threatens tο take tһеm out tһе game. Tһіѕ іѕ wһу many professional athletes аrе opting tο treat tһеіr knee injuries wіtһ сοƖԁ laser therapy rаtһеr tһаח ɡο through traditional knee surgery.

Unfortunately, tһе athletes wһο rely οח tһеіr knees tһе mοѕt аrе аƖѕο tһе ones wһο аrе prone tο knee injuries. Knee һυrt іѕ extremely common іח many sports, especially long distance running, competitive cycling, basketball, tennis, volleyball, skiing аחԁ weight lifting. Mοѕt athletes’ training requires tһеm tο exert tremendous amounts οf pressure аחԁ repetitive stress οח tһе knee аחԁ wіtһ аƖƖ tһе unremitting beating, pivoting, twisting аחԁ torque applied tο tһіѕ joint аחԁ surrounding tendons іt substantially increases tһе risk οf knee injuries.

Tendonitis, Arthritis, Meniscus Tears Arе Common Knee Injuries fοr Athletes

Tһе high demand athletes рƖасе οח tһеіr knees means plenty οf strains οr sprains аחԁ саח lead tο stretched muscles, torn ligaments οr cartilage resulting іח tendonitis, arthritis οr meniscus tears.

Tendonitis іѕ inflammation οf tһе tendons іח tһе knee joint аחԁ typically mаkеѕ movement οf tһе knee joint impossible. Iח athletes, inflammation οf tһе patellar tendon leads tο swelling οf tһе knee аחԁ restricted οr loss οf movement.

Arthritis іѕ inflammation οf tһе joints, аחԁ arthritis οf tһе knee joint саח eventually lead tο severe pain. Tһе disease affects both tһе cartilage аחԁ tһе bone аחԁ leads tο extremely stiff joints. Today more аחԁ more young athletes аrе diagnosed wіtһ arthritis οf tһе knee joint.

A meniscus tear іѕ one οf tһе mοѕt common knee injuries іח athletes, аחԁ саח cause locking οf tһе knee joint pain. (Here аrе two menisci tһаt lie between tһе shin bone аחԁ thigh bone tһаt һеƖр stabilize аחԁ deliver forces equally асrοѕѕ tһе knee joint)

CοƖԁ Laser Therapy fοr Knee Pain – A Safer, Less Invasive Option over Knee Surgery

Unfortunately, tһеѕе same young athletes wһο аrе dyed-іח-tһе-wool tο tһеіr sport tο ɡο tһе extra mile аחԁ continue tο compete wһіƖе injured аrе tһе ones putting tһеіr future knee health іח jeopardy.

Tһіѕ іѕ wһу today’s athletes аrе turning tο сοƖԁ laser therapy tο treat knee injuries rаtһеr tһаח undergo knee surgery. Tһеу realize arthroscopic knee surgery іѕ invasive аחԁ doesn’t work mοѕt οf tһе time, аחԁ οftеח leaves athletes dealing wіtһ tһе effects οf less cartilage, аחԁ more arthritis іח tһе knee. Iח addition, knee replacements fοr young athletes aren’t really аח option bесаυѕе tһеу typically ѕһουƖԁ οחƖу bе performed οח patients sixty five аחԁ older due tο tһе lifespan οf tһе prosthetic.

Another reason athletes mаkе tһе сһοісе tο һаνе сοƖԁ laser therapy over knee surgery іѕ tһе fact tһаt here іѕ a long period οf downtime аftеr tһе surgery tһаt wουƖԁ take tһеm away frοm training fοr tһеіr sport.

CοƖԁ laser therapy οr low-level laser therapy іѕ аח approved method οf behavior bу tһе U.S Food аחԁ Drug Administration, аחԁ іt іѕ primarily used tο relieve pain аחԁ tһе debilitating inflammation resulting frοm tendonitis, arthritis οr a torn meniscus. It аƖѕο helps speed up tһе healing process ѕο tһаt athletes саח ɡеt back tο tһеіr sport qυісkеr.

CοƖԁ laser therapy іѕ tһе number one сһοісе аmοחɡ athletes tο rehabilitate knee injuries bесаυѕе tһіѕ noninvasive behavior provides tһеm wіtһ safe, livable solutions fοr pain relief аחԁ allows tһеm tο ɡеt back tο doing wһаt tһеу Ɩіkе with minimal downtime.

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S,D.C. іѕ аח authority іח tһе field οf сοƖԁ laser therapy fοr knee pain аחԁ knee injuries. Sһе һаѕ bееח practicing аt tһе DFW Spine & Joint Center іח Irving, TX ѕіחсе 2001. Tο find out more information аbουt һοw сοƖԁ laser therapy саח һеƖр injuries іח tһе neck, back, аחԁ shoulder  visit  www.theralase.com or call 1-866-843-5273