SANTE FE, N.M., March 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- CytoDyn, Inc. (OTCBB:CYDY), best known for Cytolin(r), a targeted immune therapy for treating HIV/AIDS, has announced plans to develop a nonsynthetic antineoplastic agent under the proposed tradename Formaxycin(tm). In marked contrast to nutraceuticals, nonsynthetic cancer drugs are potent chemotherapeutic agents, even though they must be derived from a plant. A classic example is provided by the Vinca alkaloids, which are obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). These drugs include vinblastine and vincristine. Both have been used for many years to treat Hodgkin's and other lymphomas, and both are marketed by Eli Lilly, which has other such agents in its pipeline despite the industry's recent emphasis on immunologically based cancer therapies.
This represents a departure for CytoDyn, which bases its HIV/AIDS drug on a targeted immune therapy. Genentech and ImClone have enjoyed considerable success in taking this same targeted approach to treating cancer. Recent advances in immunotherapy may even pave the way for a cancer vaccine, according to Dr. Helen Tayton-Martin of Avidex, Ltd., writing in the Winter 2005 issue of EBR (European Biopharmaceutical Review), available online at www.samedanltd.com.
CytoDyn is taking a more traditional approach to treating cancer because, "We have a lot to learn about the many factors that cause the multitude of diseases which are characterized by malignant or immortal cells," according to Allen D. Allen, CytoDyn's CEO. "Moving ahead with technology before we have a scientific understanding of the pathogenic and evolutionary factors that come into play may not be the best way to move from palliatives to more effective cancer treatments," Allen believes.
There is no guarantee that the proposed tradename Formaxycin(tm) can be registered or that the drug will be successfully developed by CytoDyn. For more information visit www.cytodyn.com.
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