Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) - Theralase Technologies Inc.
(“Theralase®” or the “Company”) (TSXV: TLT)
(OTCQX: TLTFF), a leading biotech company focused on the commercialization of medical lasers to
eliminate pain and the development of Photo Dynamic Compounds (“PDCs”) to destroy cancer has announced that its
Theralase® therapeutic laser technology platform has been proven preclinically to render cancer cells more susceptible to cancer
destruction by Photo Dynamic Therapy (“PDT”), by reversing the Warburg Effect.
One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is a change in cellular metabolism from mitochondrial respiration (the production of
Adenosine TriPhosphate (“ATP”)) that relies on oxygen consumption to glycolysis, an oxygen independent
process.
Cancer cells systematically modify their metabolism to promote their: growth, survival, proliferation and long-term
maintenance, without the need for molecular oxygen, thus making them difficult to destroy by traditional means.
This common feature, amongst cancer cells, of a modified metabolism, is demonstrated by an increase in glucose (blood sugar)
uptake and an increase in lactate production. This phenomenon was originally described by Dr. Otto Warburg at the turn of the
19th century, where he was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for his work, and has subsequently been
suitably named as the “Warburg Effect.”
The Warburg Effect describes cancer cells that are characterized by their decreased mitochondrial respiration, increased
glycolysis (production of ATP without the use of molecular oxygen) and excessive lactate production.
Theralase’s TLC-2000 Cold Laser Therapy (“CLT”) was used to irradiate both in vitro GlioBlastoma Multiforme
(“GBM”) Rat Glioma (‘RG2”) brain and also transitional cell carcinoma bladder cancer cells
(T24). The data below is for GBM RG2 cancer cells, but the CLT treatment of human bladder cancer cells rendered similar results
on the Warburg Effect (data not shown)
Post treatment analysis of both of these cancer cell lines demonstrated a 20% decrease in the glycolysis rate (measured by a
decrease in lactate production) and a 20% increase in mitochondrial respiration, leading to a shift in their metabolism (from
cancerous to normal), indicating a reversal of the aptly named, Warburg Effect.
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
During the transformation of cells from normal existence to cancerous, the Warburg Effect is associated with numerous
metabolic gene expressions necessary for glycolysis, such as, the upregulation of:
- Glucose Transporter 1 (“GLUT1”) (used to increase glucose uptake and the glycolysis rate)
- MonoCarboxylate Transporter 1 (“MCT1”) (used to increase lactate (necessary for all main aspects of
carcinogenesis) transport outside of the cell)
- Pyruvate Kinase M2 (“PKM2”) (Glycolytic enzyme crucial for Warburg Effect glycolysis)
- HexoKinase-2 (“HK2”) (Glycolytic enzyme crucial for Warburg Effect glycolysis)
Theralase’s CLT was shown to downregulate glycolysis-related genes by approximately 20%.
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
In addition, Theralase’s CLT was shown to downregulate known oncogenes (genes that promote cancer progression) such as:
- c-Myc (“master regulator” which controls many aspects of both cellular growth and cellular metabolism)
- HIF-1a (responsible for cellular and developmental response during hypoxia)
- mTOR (a key metabolic and bioenergetic checkpoint which positively regulates protein, lipid and nucleotide synthesis)
Theralase’s CLT was also shown to increase the expression of known tumor suppressor genes (genes that inhibit cancer
progression and are normally inhibited in cancer cells) such as p53, which regulate cell metabolism by lowering the rates of
glycolysis and augmenting mitochondrial respiration. p53 downregulates cellular glucose uptake and the expression of other
glycolytic enzymes.
Theralase’s CLT was shown to decrease oncogene expression by approximately 20% and increase tumor suppressor expression by
15%.
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
To evaluate the effect of Theralase’s CLT in an in vivo animal model, mice were injected with colorectal cancer cells
(CT.26WT) and treated with Theralase’s CLT.
It was observed that Theralase CLT treated mice were able to survive on average twice as long versus untreated mice, due to a
significant growth delay in tumour size caused by the anti-cancer effect of Theralase’s CLT (reversing the Warburg Effect).
Survival analysis after tumor injection:
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
Based on the reported data, Theralase researchers have established, in a preclinical model, that Theralase CLT is able to:
- Reverse the Warburg Effect (Decrease glycolysis (measured by reduced lactate production and increased mitochondrial
respiration)); thereby, shifting the metabolic state towards normal cell energy production and away from cancer cell energy
production
- Downregulate the genes associated with the Warburg Effect
- Downregulate oncogenes
- Increase the expression of tumor suppressor genes
- Significantly delay tumour growth
Thus, significantly increasing the overall survival rate of animals, exposed to cancer, who have been treated with Theralase’s
CLT.
Mark Roufaiel, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Theralase stated, “A majority of cancer cells produce energy through a high rate of
glycolysis and lactic acid production, a phenomenon known as the Warburg Effect. Our preclinical results clearly demonstrate that
Theralase’s CLT is able to reverse the Warburg Effect and hence delay tumour progression. This new data changes the previous
belief that CLT has carcinogenic effects and that CLT should not be used to treat cancerous tumours. In this latest research, we
present preclinical evidence that Theralase’s CLT, in the proper clinical doses, is safe and effective in the reversal of the
Warburg Effect and can modulate the cellular metabolism of cancer cells to selectively inhibit the Warburg Effect, in laboratory
cancer models. This shows a significant untapped potential for Theralase’s CLT to be used as a safe, effective and elegant way to
fight cancer.”
Arkady Mandel, MD, Ph.D., D.Sc., Chief Scientific Officer, Theralase stated that, “In our preclinical research, we employed
knowledge garnered from exercise physiology in the treatment of patients suffering from muscular fatigue and pain, conditions
that increase lactate production. Increased glucose uptake and the accumulation of lactate, even under normoxic conditions
(aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg Effect), is a common feature of cancer cells. After a hiatus of several decades, there is a
renewed interest in reversing aerobic glycolysis (Warburg Effect) as a key strategy to destroying cancer.”
Dr. Mandel went on to say that, “There are five key cellular indicators of the Warburg Effect in carcinogenesis (the formation
of cancer):
- increased glucose uptake
- increased glycolytic enzyme expression and activity
- decreased mitochondrial respiration
- increased lactate production, accumulation and release
- upregulation of genes, such as monocarboxylate transporters MTC1 and MCT4, for lactate exchange.
Lactate is the key metabolic compound involved in the above processes leading up to carcinogenesis; specifically: angiogenesis
(development of new blood vessels), immune escape, cell migration, metastasis (cancer spread to other tissues) and
self-sufficient metabolism. Accordingly, we strongly believe that technologies, like Theralase CLT, which have been proven
preclinically to reverse the Warburg Effect, should be prioritized by researchers for the discovery of next generation
anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. In our preclinical research, we used Theralase CLT as a modulator of cellular metabolism and
were able to identify specific parameters that reverse the Warburg Effect, in laboratory cancer models. The results of our
preclinical research demonstrate a significant unrealized potential of CLT, a therapeutic modality with over 50 years of clinical
history that has been well recognized by Health Canada and the FDA as a safe and effective treatment of patients with chronic
pain, now being able to provide an elegant way to fight cancer. Theralase, by building on the technology that commenced their
early success in pain management, has now demonstrated the ability to employ this technology as a disruptive innovation in the
destruction of cancer.”
Roger Dumoulin-White, P.Eng., President and CEO, Theralase stated, “The combination of technologies from our Therapeutic Laser
Therapy (“TLT”) division and our Photo Dynamic Therapy (“PDT”) division is a pleasant surprise.
Preclinical and clinical research have always been the drivers of innovation within our organization and the data strongly
supports the use of Theralase CLT, according to very specific clinical dose specifications derived by Theralase, to be used
pre-emptively to lessen the ability of cancer cells to defend themselves against PDT and the immune system, by reversing the
Warburg Effect.”
About Theralase Technologies Inc.
Theralase Technologies Inc. (“Theralase®” or the “Company”) (TSXV:
TLT) (OTCQX: TLTFF) in its Therapeutic Laser Technology (“TLT”)
Division designs, manufactures, markets and distributes patented super-pulsed laser technology indicated for the treatment of
chronic knee pain, and in off-label use, the elimination of pain, reduction of inflammation and dramatic acceleration of tissue
healing for numerous nerve, muscle and joint conditions. Theralase’s Photo Dynamic Therapy (“PDT”) Division
researches and develops specially designed molecules called Photo Dynamic Compounds (“PDCs”), which have
demonstrated an ability to localize to cancer cells and then when laser light activated, effectively destroy them.
Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com .
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which reflect the current expectations
of management of the Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities.
Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such
as "may", "would", "could", “should”,
"will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan",
"expect", "intend", "estimate", "potential for" and similar
expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs
with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve
significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Corporation’s actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements; including, without limitation, those listed in the filings made by the Corporation with the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Should one
or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove
incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in the news release are
based upon what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Corporation cannot assure prospective investors
that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The Corporation
disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future
developments or otherwise except as required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by
this cautionary statement.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of
the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For More Information:
Roger
Dumoulin-White
President & CEO
1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273) ext.
225
416.699.LASE (5273) ext. 225
rwhite@theralase.com
www.theralase.com
To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:
public://news_release_pdf/TheralaseNov272017_0.pdf
Source: Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture:TLT, OTCQX:TLTFF, FWB:TTX)
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