Propanc Biopharma Highlights PRP's Potential to Reprogram Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/19/17 -- Propanc Biopharma Inc. (OTCQB: PPCH) ("Propanc Biopharma" or "the Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on development of new and proprietary treatments for cancer patients suffering from solid tumors such as pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers, today announced that fresh new insights have emerged into how cancer stem cells (CSCs) are able to resist standard treatments, become more aggressive and spread rapidly. Published in Oncogene, by researchers from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute south of Barcelona, Spain, the findings have significant implications for Propanc Biopharma's lead product PRP, which reprograms CSCs so that they are no longer malignant and a threat to the patient. PRP is a solution for once daily intravenous administration of a combination of two pancreatic proenzymes trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen.
One of the authors from the study, Dr Miguel Ăngel Pujana, describes why tumors adapt to and resist certain therapies, like mTOR inhibitors, a treatment used in advanced stages of breast cancer. He links mTOR inhibition with increased expression of certain genes, like EVI1, which contributes to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key process by which cancer cells become stem cell-like, motile and invasive, seeding new tumors. Dr Miguel concludes, "Tumor cells are able to adapt to treatment through a phenotype (character) shift that makes them more aggressive and sustains their metastatic potential." Data from hundreds of cell lines expand on the concept that CSCs are frequently the source of therapy resistance and metastasis, the main cause of patient death from cancer.
"When administering PRP to a patient, we are essentially reprogramming CSC gene expression, pushing these cells back to a normal, less malignant state, so they die naturally," said Dr Kenyon, Propanc's Chief Scientific Officer. "Reversing the EMT process is a key feature of PRP and is fast becoming a credible solution to controlling CSCs, which are responsible for cancer spreading, or metastasis, the main cause of patient death from cancer."
"The latest scientific discoveries regarding CSC reprograming shows we are on the right track, which we believe is not reflected in our current market capitalization," said James Nathanielsz Propanc's Chief Executive Officer. "Nevertheless, we are advancing towards First-In-Human studies and remain excited about developing PRP as a new therapeutic approach for cancer sufferers. We remain focused on delivering long term value to our loyal shareholders."
The rationale for developing PRP is based on a set of in-vitro studies on CSCs, as well as xenograft and syngeneic mouse models of ovarian and pancreatic cancers, respectively. In summary, these data indicate that the dramatic reduction of cellular markers associated with the process of EMT as a consequence of PRP treatment, could not only reverse the EMT process with the implication to stop tumor progression and metastasis, but also seem to suppress the development of CSCs. Consequently, these results are strong indicators of the therapeutic potential of PRP that could be categorized as an anti-CSC therapeutic drug.
Currently progressing towards First-In-Human studies, PRP aims to prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis from solid tumors. Eighty percent of all cancers are solid tumors and metastasis is the main cause of patient death from cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 8.2 million people died from cancer in 2012. Consequently, a report by IMS Health states innovative therapies are driving the global oncology market to meet demand, which is expected to reach $150 Billion by 2020. The Company's initial target patient populations are pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers, representing a combined market segment of $14 Billion predicted in 2020, by GBI Research.
To view Propanc Biopharma's "Mechanism of Action" video on anti-cancer product candidate, PRP, please click on the following link: http://www.propanc.com/news-media/video
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About Propanc Biopharma:
Propanc Biopharma is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing new cancer treatments initially for patients suffering from pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers. We have developed a formulation of anti-cancer compounds, which exert a number of effects designed to control or prevent tumors from recurring and spreading throughout the body. Our products involve or employ pancreatic proenzymes, which are inactive precursors of enzymes. In the near term, we intend to target patients with limited remaining therapeutic options for the treatment of solid tumors. In future, we intend to develop our lead product to treat (i) early stage cancer and (ii) pre-cancerous diseases and (iii) as a preventative measure for patients at risk of developing cancer based on genetic screening. For more information, visit: www.propanc.com.
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Source: Propanc Biopharma, Inc.
Released May 19, 2017