25/08/2006
In-vitro study shows ReGen’s ColostrininTM to have anti-ageing and anti-cancer potential
The Directors of ReGen Therapeutics Plc (‘ReGen’) are pleased to announce that a report published today 25th August commissioned by ReGen has indicated that ColostrininTM could have anti-ageing and anti-cancer potential. Developments are still at an early stage. To read the full report please go to www.regentherapeutics.com.
Some of the highlights of the report are as follow:
A study undertaken by Dr Istvan Boldogh at the University of Texas Medical Branch* has indicated that ColostrininTM, ReGen’s compound, may have an impact on the ageing process and the development of cancer in addition to its know therapeutic qualities in respect of Alzheimer’s disease.
The full results of an in-vitro study showing that ColostrininTM reduces the spontaneous or induced mutation frequency in the DNA of cells has been published in the Journal of Experimental Therapeutics and Oncology. As such DNA damage is implicated in the general process of ageing and ultimately the development of cancer, this study suggests that ColostrininTM may have potential in the prevention of both processes.
The study, which was performed in both Hamster and Human cells, looked at the impact of ColostrininTM on the frequency of defined DNA mutations in these cells as it occurs naturally and when induced by various known chemical or physical agents.
In cells stressed oxidatively, ColostrininTM reduced the frequency of mutation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) to nearly background levels in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, ColostrininTM, at the dose level indicated in the report, reduced the frequency of mutation caused by two mutagenic agents, methyl methan esulphonate and mitomycin-C, the latter often used in cancer chemotherapy. Notably ColostrininTM decreased UVA and UVB radiation induced mutation frequency. The latter finding is of particular interest because these damaging radiations are a natural part of sunlight. UVA radiation plays a role in the induction of malignant melanoma and UVB radiation is the primary cause of squamous cell carcinomas.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Istvan Boldogh, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at UTMB*, Galveston, Texas, USA, the study’s principal investigator said:
‘Taken together, these results suggest that the antimutagenic properties of ColostrininTM are achieved via multiple mechanisms – by decreasing intracellular levels of ROS and so preventing DNA damage and by increasing the efficiency of natural DNA repair mechanisms. These results are highly significant because natural compounds that can prevent or reduce the damage caused by such genotoxic agents when either produced by the body itself or mediated via environmental exposures are of great interest from the perspective of public health.’
Commenting on the study, Percy Lomax, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said:
‘These new findings are particularly exciting and are part of the ongoing development of ReGen’s compound, ColostrininTM. Firstly, they give yet further rationale to the marketing of ColostrininTM as a nutritional supplement in the aging population, as intended through our recent deal with Metagenics**. Secondly, it gives further scientific backing to the development of compounds, based on the active ingredients within ColostrininTM, as pharmaceutical compounds for use in specific disease conditions and suggests we may extend the disease indications we are currently exploring.’
* ReGen has a sponsored research agreement with the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
** On 13/7/2006 ReGen announced that it had entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Metagenics, Inc. for the commercialisation of ReGen’s ColostrininTM as a human nutraceutical in North America. Headquartered in San Clemente, California, Metagenics is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of nutraceuticals, dedicated to researching and evaluating the effects of natural ingredients on genetic expression and protein activity.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Greycoat Communications
0207 960 6007
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background
ReGen’s principal activity is the development of a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and also the development of nutraceutical uses for ColostrininTM.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative and ultimately fatal disease that slowly destroys the brain. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include progressive impairment of cognitive function including memory loss, inability to think abstractly, loss of language function, attention deficit and associated depression, anxiety and agitation. Eventually Alzheimer’s disease sufferers lose the ability to take care of themselves and must be looked after either by family or in residential care homes and hospitals. Ultimately, sufferers become less resistant to infections and other illnesses, which often become the actual cause of death. In a 30 week clinical study, reported in the peer reviewed Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004, it was shown that:
• More than 40% of patients on ColostrininTM were stabilised or improved after 15 weeks of therapy, based on an Analysis of Overall Response
• 33% of patients continued to show stabilisation or improvement after 30 weeks of treatment, and levels of benefit were slightly higher at the 15-week stage of the trial
• Efficacy demonstrated in both mild and moderate symptom groups, with greatest effects seen in earlier stages of the disease
• No drug-related Adverse Events or safety concerns were observed during the trial.