Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTI) (DAX: PJT) today announced the results of two separate pre-clinical studies in animal models which demonstrated that its PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cell therapy may be an effective treatment for both neuropathic and inflammatory nerve pain. These animal studies were conducted in collaboration with the Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and the Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine, both at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin of Berlin, Germany.
The animal models included those with neuropathic pain induced by ligation of the Sciatic nerve and those with inflammatory pain induced by the injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant into the animal's footpads. Following the administration of PLX cells, the sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli was dramatically reduced in both models with the reduction in pain correlated with the number of injected PLX cells in a dose dependent manner.
Hans-Dieter Volk, Ph.D., professor of immunology and chair of the Institute of Medical Immunology Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) stated, "We initiated this study at Prof. Stein´s research unit (Dept. Anesthesiology) based on research indicating that the pathophysiology surrounding neuropathic pain involves inflammation and ischemia of the affected nerves and data from Pluristem showing that the mechanism of action of PLX cells involves secretion of anti-inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines that promote new vessel formation (angiogenesis) into the injured tissue."
"These findings demonstrate again that the therapeutic effect of Pluristem's PLX cells is achieved through the release of cytokines that act on local, or perhaps distant, target tissues. Rather than serving as stem cells to repair tissues, they serve as cellular factories that secrete mediators to stimulate the repair of tissues or other beneficial effects," said Dr. Edwin Horwitz, Chairman of Pluristem's Scientific Advisory Board and President of the International Society for Cellular Therapy. These findings, in addition to previous Pluristem publications, position PLX cells as a promising candidate for a variety of clinical indications.
Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem, added, "These results provide evidence of our PLX cells being potentially effective for treating neuropathic pain arising from a variety of reasons, such as diabetes and chemotherapy. We look forward to moving with these findings into a clinical study, supported by a partner that will help Pluristem pursue commercialization of its PLX cells for this indication."
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