Great News ...
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Collaborates With CYGS to Conduct Clinical Research of Sense and Anti-Sense Molecules for Psoriasis and Melanoma
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999--Cryogenic Solutions Inc. (OTC BB:CYGS -news) announced today that Madeleine Duvic, M. D. will conduct clinical research using the company's patented single stranded DNA intracellular expression vector to deliver sense and anti-sense molecules into the nucleus of cells for potential treatment of elanoma and psoriasis.
Dr. Duvic is Chief of the Section of Dermatology and Professor of Dermatology & Internal Medicine at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. She is co-director of the Melanoma Skin Center, and Translational Research Program in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma and Skin Cancer.
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world's most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. M. D. Anderson is one of only thirty-six cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. For 10 years, U.S. News and World Report's ''Best Hospitals'' issue has ranked M. D. Anderson as one of the two best cancer centers in the nation.
CYGS is a biomedical research and development company dedicated to developing enabling technology for the implementation of therapeutic antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN's) into cells to down regulate the expression of harmful proteins causing a wide variety of diseases and conditions. The company's proprietary ssDNA expression vector is currently being used in studies at several leading universities as a means of overcoming the ''delivery barrier'' that has impeded the development of anti-sense therapeutics.
In addition to the research beginning at M. D. Anderson, studies are underway at seven leading University Medical Schools and three commercial biotech companies as well as the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.
The SFBR study will include the required animal testing of the company's ssDNA expression vector that is prerequisite to any human trials. The tests will be conducted by Dr. Jason Kimata and supervised by Dr. Jean Patterson, Chairman of the Department of Virology and
Immunology.
The Simian Immuno Virus (SIV) animal studies are intended to demonstrate the ability of the CYGS vector to synthesize pharmacologically significant titers of sequence specific, antisense competent ODN's in an animal model. ''This series, including tissue, murine and primate studies will demonstrate that we can effectively overcome the ODN delivery barrier in vivo and with controllable expression of ssDNA,'' said CEO, Dr. Malcolm Skolnick.
The role of genes is to control the intracellular production of certain proteins that effect the condition of the organism. If the genomic function is improper or impaired, the mutated gene can cause the production of proteins of a type or in quantities that are harmful.
Numerous congenital defects resulting from faulty genes can originate at the moment of conception or from mutations later induced by toxins, viruses, bacteria, radiation, or other environmental influences. Throughout our lives we are subject to these and other assaults on the correct working of our genomic plan and activities that interfere with our health and well being.
One of the brightest spots on the healthcare horizon radiates from the promise and potential of genetic therapies that grow out of this kind of research. Biotechnology is on the threshold of refining ways to eliminate genetically based disease. Medical science has known for over a decade that virtually every disease or disorder has a genetic origin. Whether it is deficiency or overproduction caused by a human mutation or the expression of genes of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, the genetic origin is the place to begin looking for therapeutic solutions.
Additional information about the company and its technology can be found on the website at
cygs.net
|
