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TCblR Novel Target for Monoclonal Antibody Cancer Therapy
TORONTO, Canada | November 21, 2007 | Kyto Biopharma Inc. (OTCBB:KBPH), (“Kyto”), a biotechnology company focused on developing monoclonal antibody based therapeutic agents for cancer treatment, announced today that for the first time it has conclusively isolated the protein and gene encoding the human Vitamin B12 receptor - TCblR for the cellular uptake of the transcobalamin-bound Vitamin B12. The over expression of TCblR in cancer cells provides the rationale for targeting the Vitamin B12 receptor in the treatment of various forms of cancer.
“The discovery of the TCblR gene and the expression of its encoded receptor protein represents a seminal milestone in the annals of cellular biology,” commented Dr. Uri Sagman, a founder and a director of Kyto. “Targeting TCblR in cancer cells with monoclonal antibodies holds a tremendous promise as a strategy to combat cancer,” added Dr. Sagman.
The isolation of the TCblR gene and the expression of the TCblR protein was achieved by Dr. Edward Quadros and his team at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Downstate Medical Center. In addition, the team at SUNY has successfully expressed the fragment of the receptor protein responsible for binding to the transcobalamin – B12 complex. Kyto has embarked on a program to develop targeted human monoclonal antibodies to TCblR as therapeutics for various forms of cancer. In addition, Kyto intends to couple chemotherapeutic drugs and metabolic toxins to such therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and enhance their biological activity as powerful targeting agents.
Kyto has entered into an arrangement with third party providers to manufacture murine antibodies that will be used in the development of humanized monoclonal antibodies to TCblR. Dr. Quadros, with the input of Dr. Michael Rosenblum of MD Anderson Cancer Center, and a director of Kyto, will oversee the development of the monoclonal antibody program on behalf of the Company.
ABOUT KYTO BIOPHARMA INC.
Kyto Biopharma Inc. is a Florida incorporated and a Toronto based biotechnology company that develops monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of various forms of cancer. The Company intends to develop its Vitamin B12 receptor based technology and is looking for a suitable partner to assist with the development and commercialization of a marketable cancer therapeutic. Vitamin B12 regulates one of two major cellular pathways for the production of Folates, the cell’s primary source of carbon and the progenitor for the synthesis of DNA. The newly isolated vitamin B12 receptor is over expressed in a host of various forms of cancer cells and serves as a viable target for development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Kyto holds an extensive portfolio of intellectual property including IP protection for the newly discovered TCblR gene and its product.
SOURCE: KYTO BIOPHARMA INC. |
