Pluristem Therapeutics to Expand Testing of PLX Cells for the Treatment of Radiation Exposure
HAIFA, Israel, Apr 6, 2011
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PSTI) (TASE:PLTR) announced today that it has signed a collaborative agreement with the Hadassah University Medical Center to continue previously conducted animal study that indicates PLX cells are potentially effective in the treatment of radiation sickness.
Pluristem's preliminary study indicated that the administration of PLX cells following radiation exposure resulted in a significant improvement in the repopulation of cells of the haematopoietic system within the animal's bone marrow.
"We are excited to form a collaboration with Hadassah University Medical Center to further test the ability of our PLX cells to effectively treat radiation sickness," said Zami Aberman, Chairman, President and CEO of Pluristem. "The data collected from our initial study holds great promise for both our company and the medical industry and we look forward to validating our research and moving ahead with the next stage of testing for this important indication."
The initial study conducted by Pluristem exposed NOD/SCID mice to a sub-lethal dose of radiation (350) and then injected them with PLX cells. Approximately five weeks after the injection of the cells, a significant recovery of the animal's hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which give rise to all the blood cell types, including the cells of the immune system, was noted.
Additionally, Pluristem has found its PLX cells to be cytoprotective, which the company believes play a role in protecting bone marrow cells from the adverse effects of radiation exposure. "Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation may be fatal, with no adequate efficient treatment, except for bone marrow transplantation in severe cases, which is a hazardous treatment by itself and in most cases is not easily available. Therefore, the convincing initial data from Pluristem's trial, using PLX cells to alleviate radiation damages, convinced us to move ahead with additional testing," said Prof. Raphael Gorodetsky, the Head of Laboratory of Biotechnology and Radiobiology at Hadassah University Medical Center. "We are excited to use our experience in both radiobiology and stem cells research to partner with Pluristem on this important study and we look forward to taking the steps with them towards commercializing this treatment."
About Hadassah University Medical Center
A state-of-the-art medical center incorporating all medical and surgical sub-specialties, with a tertiary care referral hospital at Ein Kerem and a community hospital on Mt. Scopus; conducts more than half the hospital research in Israel. The flagship of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, which laid the foundation of Israel's medical infrastructure, initiated and maintains educational programs and youth institutions, and is the main supporter of The Hadassah Medical Center. Hadassah is the largest employer in Jerusalem excluding the government: 850 physicians and academic University Affiliated researchers, 1,940 nurses, 1,020 paramedical and support staff; two campuses with 1,000 beds, 31 operating theaters, 9 intensive care units and over 120 outpatient clinics. Hadassah is committed to excellence in health care, medical research and medical education. Hadassah treats over 1 million people a year from all over Israel, and neighboring countries, and offers special programs for international patients. Hadassah was and still is a pioneer in introducing in Israel, and in some areas in the world, innovative and unique medical treatment. www.hadassah.org.il |
