SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 16, 2014) - Entest BioMedical Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ENTB)
- Dr. Christine Ichim to assist in the development of the Company's canine immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer
- Dr. Ichim has done research on cancer stem cells for more than 14 years
Entest BioMedical Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ENTB) announced today that Dr. Christine Ichim has joined the Company as Its Director of Research. Dr. Ichim was previously with the Salk Institute where she conducted research in the areas of cancer and stem cell division, cell senescence and aging.
While at the University of Toronto, Dr. Ichim began developing research for the treatment of feline leukemia. Dr. Ichim has published her research in peer reviewed journals on immunological therapies for treating cancer. David Koos, Chairman & CEO of Entest BioMedical Inc. noted, "Dr. Ichim has a unique approach to treating leukemia and cancer. She is focused on cell senescence of cancer stem cells. This approach involves forcing cells that would normally become cancerous into a state of maturation where they no longer have the capacity to grow. Cancer cells typically have the ability to expand leading to life threatening conditions such as lung cancer. In this cell senescence approach, these cancer cells are no longer capable of expansion, thus rendering these cells harmless."
Dr. Ichim stated, "I am extremely excited about having the opportunity to apply my knowledge of cancer stem cells to treating leukemia in cats and cancer in dogs. While I was conducting research at the University of Toronto, I developed a model of treating cancer through forcing senescence in cancer stem cells. The next step is to develop animal therapies utilizing this model in veterinary treatments."
A spokesperson for the Company noted that it has spent an extensive period of time evaluating the most effective way to move forward in developing veterinary therapeutics. The Company believes that Dr. Ichim will be instrumental in this endeavor.
DISCLAIMER:
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks.
About Entest BioMedical Inc.:
Entest BioMedical Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ENTB) is a developer of veterinary medicines that harness the animal's own reparative / immunological mechanisms. The Company is currently focused on developing therapies for treating feline leukemia and canine cancer.
About Christine Ichim, PhD:
Dr. Christine Ichim has 20 years of experience in immunology and cancer biology. Dr. Ichim obtained a PhD from the University of Toronto, in the Department of Medical Biophysics. She completed a Master of Science under the tutelage of Dr. Norman Iscove, where she studied the molecular biology of the leukemia stem cell. She completed a PhD focused on a novel oncogene that she identified to control leukemia stem cells. Dr. Ichim completed postdoctoral training at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where she conducted research on DNA biology relevant to cell division. This work was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). She has numerous peer reviewed articles including:
The orphan nuclear receptor Ear-2 (Nr2f6) is a novel negative regulator of T cell development.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24096122
Revisiting immunosurveillance and immunostimulation: Implications for cancer immunotherapy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15698481
Kinase-independent mechanisms of resistance of leukemia stem cells to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24598782
Identification of a role for the nuclear receptor EAR-2 in the maintenance of clonogenic status within the leukemia cell hierarchy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21637284
First among equals: the cancer cell hierarchy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17071472