Toronto,
Ontario – October 22, 2012, Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: TLT) announced
today the successful results of preclinical studies (in-vitro and in-vivo)
demonstrating significant destruction of various brain and colon cancer cell
lines. The new proprietary Theralase treatment sharply delayed the tumour
progression, when attacked by the Theralase patented light activated Photo
Dynamic Compounds (PDCs), signifying a new and broadly promising approach to
cancer treatment. When treated with the Theralase PDCs, cancerous mice survived
cancer-free for more than 100 days post-treatment, a highly significant
milestone.
The
scientific data supporting this breakthrough was presented and well received
recently at the 9th International Symposium of Photodynamic Therapy and
Photodiagnosis in Clinical Practice held in Brixen, Italy. The Theralase
presentation was made by Dr. Lothar Lilge, Senior Scientist, Ontario Cancer
Institute / Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network (UHN)
and confirms the significance of the successful research conducted by Theralase
in collaboration with UHN scientists, validating this scientific work on the
international stage.
Dr. Lothar
Lilge stated that, "These preclinical results demonstrate that the
Theralase Photo Dynamic Compounds appear to be highly effective (100% cancer
cell kill) when used to destroy various cancer cell lines in-vitro; specifically, brain glioma (U-87 and F-98) and in-vivo; specifically, colon cancer
(CT-26WT), in the treatment of subcutaneous cancer tumours in Balb/c mice. Mice
enrolled in the study, presented with subcutaneous cancerous lesions of
approximately 6 mm in size prior to treatment, which is standard for these
preclinical models. The statistically significant improvement in survival times
make these results even more encouraging, as a number of mice are still alive
today living cancer free, 100 days post treatment. Moreover, we believe that
tested PDCs may have potential for Type I (oxygen independent) PDT effect;
hence, their clinical use would represent a significant gain in cancer
therapy.”
Dr. Arkady
Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer at Theralase Inc. stated that, "We were
delighted with the extremely promising results of our latest cancer studies,
which demonstrate significant anticancer destruction of Theralase’s PDCs in all
tested in-vitro studies and in difficult to treat in-vivo cancer models, without significant optimization. With
optimization, the ability of the Theralase PDCs to target and destroy cancerous
tumours could be even more enhanced. There are a number of obvious advantages
for the use of Theralase’s PDCs in the destruction of cancer that have been
established by this body of work, such as: the Photo Dynamic Therapy (PDT)
effect has been achieved at lower concentrations compared to aminolevulinic
acid, also known as ALA (ALA is a currently approved FDA PDC) and with lower
dark toxicity (PDC alone with no light) compared to methylene blue (another
PDC), the Theralase PDCs have potential for Type I (oxygen independent) PDT
effect and lastly were able to induce tumour necrosis (cell death) in mice that
allowed prolonged survival, cancer free, in excess of 100 days of observation.
New evidence from experimental and clinical studies increasingly points to a
lack of oxygen content or hypoxia in solid tumours to be strongly associated
with tumour propagation, malignant progression and resistance to therapy and it
has thus become one of the central issues in tumour physiology and cancer
treatment. Therefore, with the latest scientific data in hand, Theralase’s PDT
has the potential to become more expeditiously integrated into the mainstream
of cancer treatment.”
Roger
Dumoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase stated, “This new research
extends the opportunity of Theralase’s patented PDC technology to have a
successful impact on two additional devastating forms of cancer; specifically,
brain and colon cancer. Our research has demonstrated a kill rate of
effectively 100% in specific human brain and colon cancer cells lines. With the
high mouse survival rate, which is approximately equivalent to 11 years “cancer
free” in humans, being observed in this study, these results lay the groundwork
for further preclinical work for these specific cancers. If the preclinical
work is proven successful, this would lead to human clinical trials as early as
2013. Theralase plans to aggressively pursue commercialization of its
ground-breaking PDT technology through the FDA regulatory approval process and
is on track to commence FDA Phase 1 human clinical trials as early as this time
next year. Theralase plans to continue its research and development at an
accelerated pace to optimize and expand its growing patent portfolio of PDCs
that are able to destroy a variety of life threatening cancers.”
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. Theralase technology is safe and effective in treating pain,
inflammation and for tissue regeneration of neural muscular skeletal conditions
and wound healing. Theralase is currently developing patented Photo Dynamic
Compounds (PDCs) that are able to target and destroy cancers, bacteria and
viruses when light activated by Theralase’s proprietary and patented laser
technology.
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
Kristina
Hachey
Chief
Financial Officer
416-447-8455
ext. 224
khachey@theralase.com
Arkady
Mandel
Chief
Scientific Officer
416-447-8455
ext. 242
amandel@theralase.com
Greg Bewsh
Director of
Investor Relations,
416-447-8455
ext. 262
gbewsh@theralase.com
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