New Hope for Cancer Patients: Preliminary Trials for Hemopurifier® Begin
Key Takeaways
- Aethlon Medical is initiating Phase 1 trials for the Hemopurifier® in patients with solid tumors.
- The trials will take place in Australia and India and are currently under ethics review.
- The Hemopurifier® aims to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments by filtering harmful exosomes.
Did You Know?
Introduction to Hemopurifier and Its Purpose
Aethlon Medical is gearing up to transform cancer therapy with its innovative device called the Hemopurifier®. The new focus is on patients with solid tumors who haven't seen improvements with anti-PD-1 monotherapy treatments, such as Keytruda® or Opdivo®.
What Are Anti-PD-1 Treatments?
Anti-PD-1 treatments are a type of immunotherapy used to fight cancer by boosting the body's immune system. While they can be effective for some, others show no improvement or even disease progression.
Keytruda® and Opdivo® are examples of anti-PD-1 therapies. These drugs target the PD-1 protein on immune cells to help them attack cancer cells more effectively.
Phase 1 Clinical Trials: Safety and Feasibility
The planned Phase 1 trials for the Hemopurifier® will evaluate its safety, feasibility, and optimal dosing in patients who haven't responded to traditional anti-PD-1 treatments. These initial trials are crucial to determine if the device can safely remove harmful exosomes from the blood.
Exosomes are tiny particles released by cells that can spread cancer and suppress the immune system. The Hemopurifier® aims to filter these out, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of other cancer treatments.
Global Trial Locations and Ethics Review
The trials are set to occur in Australia and India. Interested clinical sites in these countries have begun submitting documentation to ethics committees for review. This step is essential to ensure the trials meet ethical standards and are conducted responsibly.
Once the ethics committees approve, the clinical sites can start recruiting patients. This approval process is expected to be completed shortly, paving the way for groundbreaking research.
Aethlon Medical's Commitment and Recent Developments
Dr. Steven LaRosa, Chief Medical Officer of Aethlon Medical, expressed optimism about the progress. Recently, they shared data demonstrating the Hemopurifier's ability to remove exosomes in laboratory settings. This promising result is now part of the ethics review documents.
The Hemopurifier® is also being explored for its potential in treating life-threatening viral infections and in organ transplantation, reflecting its versatile applications.
FDA Designations and Future Implications
The Hemopurifier® has been designated a Breakthrough Device by the FDA. This special status aims to expedite the development of medical devices that offer significant advantages over existing treatments.
The FDA's recognition highlights the Hemopurifier®'s potential to address critical challenges in cancer treatment, especially for patients who have limited options.
Looking Ahead: Recruiting Patients
With ethics approvals anticipated soon, hospitals in Australia and India will begin patient recruitment for the phase 1 trials. The target group includes those with stable or progressive solid tumors who've had limited success with anti-PD-1 therapies.
These trials will be an important step in assessing the Hemopurifier's® real-world impact and its potential to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The planned phase 1 trials of the Hemopurifier® bring hope for cancer patients who haven't responded to existing treatments. Aethlon Medical’s innovative device could mark a significant advancement in cancer therapy, helping to pave the way for more effective treatments in the future.
About Aethlon Medical
Aethlon Medical is dedicated to developing treatments for cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases. Their Hemopurifier® device is at the forefront of these efforts, showing promise in removing harmful exosomes and viruses from the blood.
References
- Aethlon Medical Official Websitehttps://www.aethlonmedical.com/
- FDA Breakthrough Devices Programhttps://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/how-study-and-market-your-device/breakthrough-devices-program
- Keytruda® Informationhttps://www.keytruda.com/
- Opdivo® Informationhttps://www.opdivo.com/