With the surfacing of “filtration devices,” cancer treatment technology has grown immensely in the past few years. Still, the industry has stopped short of providing cancer treatments that inhibits the production of exosomes, the particles that suppress the immune response in cancer patients. Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: AEMD) thinks it has a new product that can address this unmet need.Through research studies led by Dr. Douglas Taylor at the University of Louisville, Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: AEMD) has concluded that its Aethlon Hemopurifier effectively captures the exosomes in cancer patients. Exosomes are secreted by tumors, and kill off immune cells generated to combat cancer. In addition, they block various aspects of T-cell proliferation and reduce the production cytokines.
The Hemopurifier is a broad spectrum therapeutic device designed to mimic the natural immune response of clearing out infectious viruses and toxins before the cells and organs become infected.
Taylor’s studies verified that the Hemopurifier removed 60 percent of circulating exosomes from the blood of ovarian cancer patients during the first pass, which lasted approximately 10 minutes. These figures proved to be consistent over the course of five separate studies.
By successfully reducing the circulating exosomes, a reverse immune suppression would take place, which would increase patient responsiveness to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
As mentioned above, studies have proved that filtration devices in cancer care actually provide clinical benefits to patients. Jim Joyce, Aethlon chairman and CEO, said this technology has limitations that the Hemopurifier can overcome.
“Unlike the Hemopurifier, the technology does not provide for the continuous clearance of exosomes from the entire circulatory system,” Joyce explained in an audio presentation. “It is not selective for removing exosomes and related particles, and it could result in the removal of beneficial cytokines.”
In addition to treating cancer, the Hemopurifier could also be successful in treating infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C, as well as bio-terror threats such as smallpox.
“From a corporate prospective, our business opportunity will now expand to include the treatment of both infectious disease and cancer,” Joyce added.
Last week the Hemopurifier was featured on CNN’s Pioneers, which is a segment that reviews new advances in technology and medicine that could dramatically effect and improve lifestyles for humans.
Joyce noted that cancer care treatment can take up to 15 years and millions of dollars to transform a new discovery into a promising therapeutic. After that strenuous period of time, the treatment then has to get approved in the marketplace. So it is safe to say Aethlon has gone through all the hoops and hurdles to make this treatment public, now they simply have to commercialize it.
“With further supporting data, we will initially seek to have our cancer treatment application available through our early commercialization initiatives in India,” Joyce concluded. He also said they plan on commercializing the product in the United States through compassionate and emergency use programs.
During mid-day trading on Wednesday, AEMD was up over 12 percent to 80 cents per share.
