WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MultiCell
Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MCET.OB) has filed a U.S.
provisional patent application concerning composition of matter,
biological targets, mechanism of action, methods and formulations
to achieve targeted tumor cell death.
This patent application describes a novel class of very small
noncoding double stranded RNA molecules (VSRNAs) which interfere
with the basic homeostatic cellular processes in tumor cells.
VSRNAs are of molecular size less than 10 bps, yet are surprisingly
capable in their ability to affect the metabolism, viability and
proliferative rate of tumor cells consistent with a mechanism of
action that bypasses completely, or in part, the canonical known
pathways and steps of RNA recognition and RNA
interference.
In contrast to other species of RNAs, VSRNAs can induce cell
death through pyroptosis; a specific biological process that also
involves pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Pyroptosis
results from the capability of VSRNAs to suppress or modify the
amount of mRNA expressing various endogenous genes linked to the
metabolism, proliferation and viability of cells, thus inducing a
state of cellular stress that results in deployment of mediators of
innate immunity. VSRNAs described in this Application exert a
preferential biological activity on certain tumor cells while
showing no effect on normal, non-transformed cells.
Since cancer cells are highly metabolically active, they are
more reliant on key housekeeping molecules for survival as opposed
to normal cells. Through mobilization of stress pathways and
non-canonical RNA sensors, VSRNAs have demonstrated the capability
of activating the NF-kB pathway and Ca2+ release, resulting in (1)
secretion of pre-formed cytokines stored in cell vesicles, and (2)
de novo synthesis of cytokines and chemokines. VSRNAs can be
formulated, attached or integrated within delivery vehicles that
target or express selectively their payload in desired cell types
resulting in both immediate and long-term therapeutic effects
against cancer.
MultiCell is evaluating MCT-485, a VSRNA, in animal models of
hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the
most common form of primary liver cancer, and is a leading cause of
cancer death worldwide. Over 1 million cases of
hepatocellular carcinoma are reported annually. Current
approaches for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma are of limited
efficacy. MCT-485, possessing both oncolytic and immune
activating properties, could be superior to currently marketed
therapies by providing a more robust activation of immunity, and a
more global and longer lasting anti-tumor effect.
Additionally, due to its unique mechanism of action, MCT-485 could
prove effective in killing other types of cancers. MultiCell
plans to initiate similar studies in relevant in vitro and
animal models for other major cancers.
About MCT-485
MultiCell Technologies' MCT-485 is a very small noncoding double
stranded RNA (VSRNA), and the first of a family of prospective
cancer therapeutics. MultiCell owns rights to several issued
U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications related to MCT-485
and other RNAs.
About MultiCell Technologies, Inc.
MultiCell Technologies, Inc. is a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and
discovery tools for the treatment of neurological disorders,
hepatic disease and cancer. For more information about
MultiCell Technologies, please visit
http://www.multicelltech.com.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about MultiCell's
expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future
events or performance are not historical facts and are
forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). These statements
are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases
such as "believe", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",
"intend", "plan", "forecast", "could", and "would". MultiCell bases
these forward- looking statements on current expectations about
future events. They involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels
of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement.
Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause
actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections
in the forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to,
the risk that we might not achieve our anticipated clinical
development milestones, receive regulatory approval, or
successfully commercialize our products as expected, the market for
our products will not grow as expected, and the risk that our
products will not achieve expectations. For additional
information about risks and uncertainties MultiCell faces, see
documents that MultiCell files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including MultiCell's report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 30, 2012,
and all of MultiCell's quarterly and other periodic SEC
filings. MultiCell claims the protection of the safe harbor
for forward-looking statements under the Act and assumes no
obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of
subsequent events.
SOURCE MultiCell Technologies, Inc.