Cancer Treatment Application of the Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) Published in Journal of Translational Medicine
2008-07-24 13:22:02 -
www.aethlonmedical.com - Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD) disclosed today that a peer reviewed scientific paper coauthored by Aethlon researchers has been published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. The paper entitled, "Exosomes as a Tumor Immune Escape Mechanism: Possible Therapeutic Implications" discusses the mechanism by which exosomes released by cancerous tumors are able to kill off immune cells in cancer patients. The paper further discusses the novel therapeutic approach of the Aethlon Hemopurifier(R) to capture and inhibit the spread of such immunosuppressive exosomes in cancer patients. The abstract and complete article are available to be accessed online at: www.translational-medicine.com/content/6/1/37.
"As we continue to progress the infectious disease applications of our Hemopurifier(R), the Journal of Translational Medicine publication recognizes and reinforces the additional potential of the Hemopurifier(R) within the $43 billion cancer therapy market," stated Aethlon Chairman and CEO, James A. Joyce. "We thank the numerous researchers who participated in coauthoring the paper with our research team," concluded Joyce.
Aethlon previously disclosed that researchers discovered that the Hemopurifier(R) is effective in capturing exosomes that are released by solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemia. Exosomes induce T-cell apoptosis (programmed cell death), and block T-cell signaling, proliferation, and cytokine production. High concentrations of circulating exosomes correlate with reduced T-cell production and tumor progression in cancer patients. In studies led by Dr. Douglas Taylor at the University of Louisville, 60% of circulating exosomes were removed from the blood of ovarian cancer patients during first pass (approximately 10-minutes) through a small scale Hemopurifier(R). The capture data was consistent over the course of five different in vitro blood studies. The ability to reduce circulating exosomes would likely reverse immune suppression and increase patient responsiveness to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Dr. Taylor is a recognized authority on the causative effects of immune suppression in cancer patients. He is credited with the initial characterization of exosomes and is the leading peer reviewed author on the subject.
About Aethlon Medical
Aethlon Medical is the developer of the Hemopurifier(R), a first-in-class medical device designed to treat infectious disease. The Hemopurifier(R) provides real-time therapeutic filtration of infectious viruses and immunosuppressive particles, and is positioned to address the treatment of drug and vaccine resistant viruses. Additionally, the device holds promise in cancer care, as research studies have verified the Hemopurifier(R) is able to capture immunosuppressive particles secreted by tumors. The Hemopurifier(R) is designed to act both as a stand-alone therapeutic, and as an adjunct treatment to enhance clinical benefit of established therapies. Pre-clinical studies conducted by researchers representing leading government and non-government health organizations both in the United States and abroad have documented the effectiveness of the Hemopurifier(R) in capturing from circulation the viruses that constitute pandemic threats, including H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu), and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) from circulation. The company is conducting studies to support the use of the Hemopurifier(R) as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against bioterror threats, including Smallpox, and Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa hemorrhagic fever. Regulatory and commercialization initiatives in the United States are presently focused on bioterror threats, while international initiatives are directed toward naturally evolving pandemic threats, and chronic infectious disease conditions including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis-C (HCV). Aethlon demonstrated the safety of the Hemopurifier(R) in a 24-treatment human study at the Apollo Hospital in Delhi, India, and is currently conducting further human studies at the Fortis Hospital, also located in Delhi. The company has submitted an investigational device exemption (IDE) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance the Hemopurifier(R) as a broad-spectrum treatment countermeasure against category "A" bioterror threats. Additional information regarding Aethlon Medical and its Hemopurifier(R) technology is available online at www.aethlonmedical.com.
Certain of the statements herein may be forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Aethlon Medical, Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company's ability to raise capital when needed, the Company's ability to complete the development of its planned products, the ability of the Company to obtain FDA and other regulatory approvals permitting the sale of its products, the Company's ability to manufacture its products and provide its services, the impact of government regulations, patent protection on the Company's proprietary technology, product liability exposure, uncertainty of market acceptance, competition, technological change, and other risk factors. In such instances, actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Aethlon Medical, Inc.
Jeff Richardson, 858-459-7800, x302
Senior Director, Communications
jrichardson@aethlonmedical.com
or
James A. Joyce, 858-459-7800, x301
Chairman, CEO
jj@aethlonmedical.com
