Scientists from Columbia University in New York showed 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. And at the end of a treatment cycle, 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 in Belgium) based on the CA19-9 platform. This treatment platform influences multiple pathways to treat the tumor.
The results of the American study adds a layer 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. And a total of 25 treatments were performed using the ElmediX TempoCure treatment device.
ElmediX collected the CA 19-9 values from these pancreatic cancer patients. And the analysis shows significant decreases in CA 19-9 after thermal treatment, predicting significant life extension. For pancreatic cancer patients, a decrease in CA 19-9 was recorded after a single treatment (up to 60%). A major 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.
No severe and dose-limiting side effects related to the thermal treatment were observed in any of the patients. In the days following the therapy, fatigue was noted.
Based on the results, ElmediX is planning a Phase II study for pancreatic cancer patients. This study will be funded through a capital increase. This Series A round (up to Є5 million) will enable further demonstration and quantification of the effectiveness of thermal treatment for pancreatic cancer patients, aiming for an accelerated regulatory pathway.
Launched 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. And with seven patent families protecting ElmediX technology, the company has established a strong IP position worldwide (EU, USA, China, and Hong Kong). The company co-founders Professor Dr. John-Paul Bogers and Engineer Johan Van den Bossche are respectively the CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Detailed results of this First-in-Human study at UZA will be announced at a future oncology event.
KEY QUOTE:
“The ElmediX’s systemic hyperthermic treatment is a broad-spectrum therapy that targets seven different defense mechanisms of cancer cells.”
- Prof. Dr. Dirk Ysebaert, one of the Principal Investigators of the MATTERS Study at UZA
