- PLX cells exhibit anti-proliferative effect on a wide range of human cancer cell types
- Pre-clinical study results show statistically significant reduction in tumor size as well as complete tumor remission in 30% of treated recipients
HAIFA, Israel, Jan. 12, 2018 — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTI) (TASE:PSTI), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed article in the journal Scientific Reports, from the publisher of Nature, titled, “Human Placental-Derived Adherent Stromal Cells Co-Induced with TNF‑α and IFN‑γ Inhibit Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Nude Mouse Xenograft Models.”
The article is based on studies which examined the effect of PLX cells that had been induced with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), on the proliferation of over 50 lines of human cancerous cells. The induction of the cells was carried out by adjusting their manufacturing process in order to transiently alter their secretion profile.
Based on these promising results, Pluristem conducted a pre-clinical study of female mice harboring human triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer that does not respond to standard hormonal therapy due to a lack of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Current treatment for TNBC consists of a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, and yet the prognosis remains poor for patients with this type of breast cancer. In this study, weekly intramuscular (IM) injections of the induced PLX cells produced a statistically significant reduction (p= 0.025) in mean tumor size in the treated group compared with the untreated group, with 30% of the treated mice exhibiting complete tumor remission. In addition, a statistically significant reduction (p=0.003) was seen in the percentage of proliferating tumor cells as well as in the level of blood vessels within the tumors.
“The findings of this study published in a peer-reviewed journal are the outcome of over two years of research as well as the vast knowledge of PLX cell properties we have developed over the last 10 years. We believe the findings show promise for the utilization of our induced PLX cells in slowing and reversing the growth of cancer cells, particularly for some cancers that don’t have viable treatment options,” stated Zami Aberman, Chairman and Co-CEO of Pluristem. “The findings also confirm the effectiveness of IM administration and support a mechanism of action involving immunomodulation and inhibition of angiogenesis and cell proliferation in cancerous conditions. Our unique patented manufacturing platform allows us to alter our cells’ secretion profile in correlation with the targeted cancer cells, which may open new possibilities in the field of oncology to treat solid tumors and may also offer new paths to help millions of patients around the world. As in immunotherapy technology, PLX cells potentially have the ability to communicate with the body and to secrete biological components that enhance regeneration processes and support the body in fighting cancer cells.”
Pluristem has filed patent applications relating to the technology for the induction of PLX cells and the use of these cells for the treatment of cancer.
About Pluristem Therapeutics
Contact:
Karine Kleinhaus, MD, MPH
Divisional VP, North America
1-914-512-4109
karinek@pluristem.com
Efrat Kaduri
Head of Investor and Public Relations
972-74-7108600
efratk@pluristem.com