ACT is a novel therapeutic platform developed by Actium Biosystems of Boulder, Colorado to deliver controlled heating as an adjuvant to chemo- and radiotherapy. While adjuvant heating is applicable to many cancer types, the first indication under development by Actium Biosystems is the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The system has been validated by two pre-clinical in vivo studies, including Duke University Medical Centre and an independent contract research facility. The studies successfully demonstrated that ACT is able to achieve well-defined therapeutic temperatures in the bladder using a catheter-introduced magnetic nanoparticle fluid and a safe, external magnetic field.
It has been known for many years that heat weakens and kills cancer, but heat can also adversely affect healthy tissue. However low temperature heat, from the normal body temperature of 37oC (98.6oF) to around 42oC, can weaken and kill cancer cells while having little impact on healthy tissue. This basic concept of treating cancer with low-temperature heat is called ‘hyperthermia’. Using magnetics, the ACT system addresses the shortcomings of current hyperthermia systems through the controlled delivery of heat at the specified location and temperature.
“While the clinical benefits of combining hyperthermia and chemotherapy in treating bladder cancer are well-established, the big challenge has been how to deliver the heat without harming healthy tissue. In conjunction with Endomagnetics’ nanoparticles, this acquisition should help accelerate the development of the ACT system to deliver an effective and simple-to-use therapy,” said Joe Tondu, President and CEO of Actium Biosystems.
Dr Eric Mayes, CEO of Endomagnetics (pictured) commented: “We were extremely impressed with Actium’s team and their development of the ACT system. It was immediately clear that merging our platforms could speed the clinical introduction of the ACT system, and significantly expand the breadth and value of Endomagnetics’ device portfolio.”
Mayes continued “This acquisition builds on Endomagnetics’ materials platform to extend our oncology device pipeline from diagnostics into therapeutics. We are entering an exciting time and will be demonstrating the promise of our product pipeline over the coming months and years.”
About Endomagnetics
Endomagnetics Ltd was founded to solve challenges in oncology through the application of advanced magnetic devices and nanotechnology. Endomagnetics is developing a portfolio of medical device products based on a patented ability to detect and heat magnetic materials in the human body with exceptional sensitivity and control.
The company’s first two products are the SentiMag® probe, and Sienna+®, a magnetic tracer solution. Sienna+® is injected into the body and the SentiMag® is used to track its presence, locating lymph nodes for the staging of breast and other cancers. Cambridge, UK-based Endomagnetics is in the process of developing and delivering its technology portfolio to global markets. For more information please visit www.endomagnetics.com.
About Adjuvant Hyperthermia and Actium Cancer Treatment (ACT)
Adjuvant hyperthermia is the targeted application of elevated temperatures in cancerous regions to improve the efficacy of traditional treatments such as chemotherapy. While hyperthermia is applicable to many cancer types, the first indication under development for ACT is the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
In concert with standard chemotherapy, the ACT System is designed to elevate the cancerous region above body temperature using a proprietary algorithm controlling a safe external magnetic field. The ACT System, together with iron oxide nanoparticles delivered via catheter, precisely heats the magnetic nanoparticles to within a few tenths of degree accuracy. When hyperthermic temperatures are maintained around 42oC (107.6oF) and sustained for an hour, significant benefits are known to accrue that considerably advance the efficacy of chemotherapy.
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:Editorial contact:
Terry Nicklin
KeynotePR Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)7923 540695
E-mail: terry@keynotepr.com
Company contact:
Dr Eric Mayes, CEO Endomagnetics Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1223 652540
E-mail: emayes@endomagnetics.com
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