SAN DIEGO, June 18, 2010 – Histogen, Inc., a regenerative medicine company developing solutions based on the products of newborn cells grown under embryonic conditions, will present findings today at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting. Studies of the human extracellular matrix (hECM) produced under proprietary conditions of hypoxia and suspension have demonstrated its ability to diminish or eliminate tumor load in melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer and glioma, both in vitro and in vivo.
Tumor growth was significantly inhibited across these cancer cell lines, with a 50-80% reduction in tumor weight seen in the tumor chorioallantoic membrane (tumcam) model (p<0.05) and a 70-90% reduction seen in subcutaneous mouse xenograft experiments (p<0.02). In studies of a carcinomatosis model established with a human colon carcinoma line, treatment with the hECM resulted in reduced tumor number and size, reduction of ascites, and, to date, a doubling in lifespan, as compared to untreated and cisplatin-treated mice.
“To see significant inhibition of multiple neoplastic cell lines, in multiple models, is a powerful indication of the future clinical potential of our embryonic-like extracellular matrix,” said Dr. Mark Hubka, Histogen’s Director of Clinical Affairs. “We are particularly excited about the potential utility of the hECM in rapidly progressing and debilitating cancers, such as carcinomatosis, where there are limited treatments that can offer an improvement in the quality and length of life.”
Further studies of human colon adenocarcinoma have shown the ability of the hECM, when used to coat biopsy needles, to significantly reduce tumor seeding along the needle track (p=0.002) and prevent the development of secondary subcutaneous tumors. This represents a potential nearer-term application of the hECM in oncology.
“Our studies with hECM substantiate various reports which have shown that embryonic matrix proteins can selectively target the growth of cancer cells in vivo,” said Emmett Pinney, Histogen’s Director of Oncology. “We are excited about demonstrating the efficacy of our embryonic-like ECM proteins in vivo and about the range of potential applications of the hECM, such as a biopsy needle coating, and as a post-resection tissue filler to improve healing and to prevent possible recurrence or metastasis.”
The inhibitory affect of the hECM is selective for malignant cells, supporting fibroblast expansion while concurrently inhibiting mesothelioma cells in vitro. Preliminary indications point to the activation of apoptotic enzymes, as seen through caspase upregulation, leading to apoptosis, or programmed cancer cell death.
“Human embryonic-like ECM stimulates proliferation and differentiation in stem cells while killing cancer cells” will be presented by Histogen CEO Dr. Gail Naughton at the ISSCR Annual Meeting, taking place June 16-19, 2010 in San Francisco.
About Histogen
Histogen, launched in 2007, seeks to redefine regenerative medicine by developing a series of high value products that do not contain embryonic stem cells or animal components. Through Histogen’s proprietary bioreactors that mimic the embryonic environment, newborn cells are encouraged to naturally produce the vital proteins and growth factors from which the Company has developed its rich product portfolio. Histogen has two product families – a proprietary liquid complex of embryonic-like proteins and growth factors, and a human Extracellular Matrix (ECM) material, ExCeltrix. For more information, please visit http://www.histogen.com.
