SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nuvilex, Inc. (NVLX), an international biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions, announced today an article describing cancer treatments under development by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Austrianova Singapore, has just been published in BioSpectrum Asia, the leading biotechnology industry magazine in Asia.

The invited article entitled "'Suicide genes' is the next step to cure cancer" was co-authored by Dr. Brian Salmons, Austrianova's President and CEO, and Dr. Walter Gunzburg, its Chairman. The article featured the Company's patented live cell encapsulation technology and pointed to the clinical success in the treatment of solid tumors, among other uses. The use of live encapsulated cells that locally catalyzed conversion of chemotherapeutic prodrugs to their active, cancer-killing forms at the site where they are needed was discussed since it has been shown to work well for pancreatic cancer. In the completed Phase 1/2 clinical trial, patients were noted to experience a doubling of the median survival time through disease improvement or stabilization and an important reduction in the side effects of the added chemotherapy treatment was observed while at the same time enhancing their anti-tumor effectiveness.

The safety and efficacy data obtained from clinical trials of the treatment of pancreatic and breast cancer solid tumors was reviewed in the article. In addition, there was also a discussion of additional preclinical data suggesting improved clinical benefits with fewer side effects than standard chemotherapy were also achievable for tumors such as hepatocellular (liver) cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, colon cancer metastases and possibly even brain tumors like glioma/glioblastoma.

Promising preclinical data has already demonstrated use of multiple prodrug activation systems. The data from this ongoing research offers the possibility of "personalized" therapies. There is even the possibility of combining these treatments with standard radiotherapy to have a greater effect and potential increased success in treating cancer patients. The article also points out that encapsulated cells can also be used to attack tumors by placing them in the body and allowing continuous production of tumor-honing toxic antibodies, such as Herceptin(R). Another means to attack cancer cells can be by placing into the body encapsulated living cells that excrete natural growth inhibitors like tumor necrosis factors (proteins that cause certain cells to die) or anti-angiogenic factors (proteins that inhibit new blood vessel formation). All of these antitumor strategies represent an arsenal that can be combined to attack cancer at many different levels.

Dr. Robert F. Ryan, CEO of Nuvilex said, "This article clearly points out the value and strengths of our proprietary living cell encapsulation technology for combating tumors, in particular many of those that represent unmet medical needs. Combining these strategies opens the way for carefully planned and combined living cell therapies as means for treating cancer simply on an individual patient basis. The ongoing work in the Company will serve to enhance our ability to provide new means to fight against the many and varied forms of this deadly group of diseases."

About Nuvilex

Nuvilex, Inc. (NVLX) is an international biotechnology provider of live therapeutically valuable, encapsulated cells and services for research and medicine. Substantial progress in multiple areas will be providing the Company with increased potential. Our company's clinical offerings will include cancer, diabetes and other treatments using the company's cell and gene therapy expertise and live-cell encapsulation technology.

The Nuvilex, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13494

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements described within the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act involving risks and uncertainties including product demand, market competition, and meeting current or future plans which may cause actual results, events, and performances, expressed or implied, to vary and/or differ from those contemplated or predicted. Investors should study and understand all risks before making an investment decision. Readers are recommended not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Nuvilex is not obliged to publicly release revisions to any forward-looking statement, reflect events or circumstances afterward, or disclose unanticipated occurrences, except as required under applicable laws.

Read more here:
Nuvilex Subsidiary Austrianova Singapore's Cancer Treatments Featured in Asia's Leading Biotech Industry Magazine

Comments are closed.