A novel and innovative approach to treating metastasized cancer, starting with
the very lethal grade 4 pancreatic cancer.
Earlier this year, scientists from Columbia University in New
York demonstrated that the growth rate of pancreatic cancer, measured in
patients' blood using CA19-9 as biomarker, determines survival chances and can
be used as a quick way to assess treatment effectiveness. At the end of a
treatment cycle, both the patient and the treating physician have a clear view
of the treatment's effectiveness.
ElmediX is demonstrating strong signals of effectiveness of its new hyperthermic
treatment in a clinical study for pancreatic cancer patients at the University
Hospital Antwerp (UZA; Belgium) based on the CA19-9 platform. The treatment
platform is influencing multiple pathways to treat the tumour. "The ElmediX's
systemic hyperthermic treatment is a broad-spectrum therapy that targets seven
different defense mechanisms of cancer cells," says Prof. Dr. Dirk Ysebaert, one
of the Principal Investigators of the MATTERS Study at UZA.
Promising Signs of Effectiveness and Safety of the ElmediX TempoCure® Treatment
Device
The results of the American study add an extra dimension to the clinical study
ElmediX is conducting at the University Hospital Antwerp (Belgium). Ten
patients, including five with metastatic pancreatic cancer, were treated with
ElmediX's new therapy. A total of 25 treatments were performed using the ElmediX
TempoCure® treatment device.
ElmediX collected CA 19-9 values from these pancreatic cancer patients. The
analysis shows significant decreases in CA 19-9 after thermal treatment,
predicting significant life extension. In pancreatic cancer patients, a decrease
in CA 19-9 was recorded after a single treatment (up to 60%). A key advantage of
thermal treatment is that it can be repeated over time. This opens up
significant prospects for transforming pancreatic cancer from a deadly disease
into a chronic one.
Moreover, no severe, dose-limiting side effects related to the thermal treatment
were observed in any of the patients. Only fatigue was noted in the days
following the therapy.
Based on these results, ElmediX is planning a Phase II study for pancreatic
cancer patients. The funding for this study will be through a capital increase.
This Series A round (up to 5 million euros) will allow further demonstration and
quantification of the effectiveness of thermal treatment for pancreatic cancer
patients, aiming for an accelerated regulatory pathway.
The detailed results of this First-in-Human study at UZA will be announced at a
world oncology congress.
About Thermal Therapy
Thermal therapy is a treatment modality for cancer patients in which the
patient's body temperature is precisely and controlledly increased to kill
cancer cells, boost the immune system, inhibit direct tumor growth, and enhance
the sensitivity of other complementary cancer treatments.
Thermal therapy is toxic to cells in hypoxic (low oxygen) and low pH
environments, conditions specifically found in tumor tissue due to insufficient
blood flow.
Thermal therapy can also be synergistically used with other cancer therapies by:
- Activating immune cells
- Shrinking tumors
- Increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy
- Damaging radio-resistant cancer cells
- Enhancing the effectiveness of radiotherapy
- Reducing pain and improving quality of life
More about thermal therapy can be found at elmedix.com.
About ElmediX
Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the University of Antwerp (Belgium), ElmediX
aims to develop a disruptive solution for pancreatic cancer and other metastatic
cancers. With seven patent families protecting ElmediX technology, the company
has established a strong IP position worldwide (EU, USA, China, and Hong Kong).
The company also holds trademarks in the same regions.
Co-founders Professor Dr. John-Paul Bogers and Engineer Johan Van den Bossche
are respectively the CEO and Chairman of the Board. The company can be reached
through its website or through investors@elmedix.com
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