Cancer, the still-dreaded disease because it takes the lives of millions with no proven cure still in sight, might finally get a beating in the next few years. Ascribe it to the courage and innovation of biotech companies which have not given up the fight against the Big C. They are leaving no stone unturned to find a way to arrest the illness, if not totally eliminate it, at least in its early stages.
Meanwhile, investors who do want a healthy return on their investment (ROI), and who likewise share a genuine concern for improving the health of cancer-ridden patients, are placing their bets on some of these companies.
Three companies offer techniques that are out-of-the-box and prescribe solutions that go beyond the tried-and-tested traditional treatments of chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant. For example, Hemogenyx LLC, a newly listed London Stock Exchange Companies (LON:HEMO) breakthrough treatment does not merely contain or remove the spread of the infected cancer corpuscles in the patient’s body, but actually, rejuvenates the bloodstream. It offers a better alternative to chemotherapy and ensures an accessible, 100% match donor for bone marrow/blood stem cell transplants.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical giant Novartis’ recently released CAR-T cell therapy leverages the patient’s own immune system against cancer.
Finally, Incyte Corp’s IDO inhibitors counterattack cancer in its early stages by spotting and destroying an enzyme produced by the medical condition, and which blocks the immune system’s early detection, which is critical in neutralizing cancer at the onset.
Working within the human body
What sets these three companies’ respective treatments apart from the regular medical methods is that they use the patient’s own cell structure and physiological systems to detect and fight the illness.
In the case of Novartis and Incyte Corp, the body’s own immune system plays a huge factor in cancer arrest. Meanwhile, in the case of Hemogenyx, the question of genetic or organ compatibility does not become an issue to the patient because the cells used for the transplant comes from his or her own liver, umbilical cord or placenta.
It must be pointed out that in solutions which utilize another person’s body part—such as a donor’s bone marrow in a transplant—the lack of compatibility can be a reason for the organ to malfunction and fail, even after the operation. Hemogenyx’s own research estimates the rate of post-surgery failure in leukemia patients at a risky 50 percent.
These companies are responsible for creating and launching breakthrough treatments that health professionals as well as the man or woman on the street are not yet aware of, but should know about. Cultivating awareness of these benefits the concern of many for their loved ones. Fighting cancer has frequently gone beyond a one-person battle to reel in the empathy, the concern, the investments, and the efforts of other family members, who are crucial support systems to the patient. The innovative companies mentioned above do offer products that can make these families sleep easier and raise the chances of recovery of their afflicted loved one.
Hemogenyx’s CDX antibodies and Hu-PHECs
Hemogenyx’s treatment addresses leukemia in particular and actually makes the life of the patient more comfortable even during and after their treatment. As explained in BRR Media, it removes the exposure of patients to the severe side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both of which are necessary to prepare them for a bone marrow transplant. Not to mention, some patients even lose their lives undergoing these brutal treatments.
In place of chemotherapeutic agents, Hemogenyx infuses CDX antibodies to locate and attack the spread of the cancer cells. These antibodies redirect immune cells of a patient to eliminate blood-forming stem cells in a highly specific manner.
Dr. Vladislav Sandler, CEO and co-founder of Hemogenyx, says, “Specificity of the developed antibodies dramatically reduces or perhaps even completely eliminates dangers of patient conditioning.” In the process, these antibodies eradicate the other toxins in the bloodstream, which means it practically rejuvenates and revitalizes it.
Then, Hemogenyx is also improving bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cells (BM/HSC) transplants. It extracts Hu-PHEC (postnatal hemogenic endothelial cells) from the blood vessels of the patient’s liver or umbilical cord. They are then activated and transplanted back into patient’s body. That way, there is no need for a donor because the patients themselves are the donors.
Incyte’s IDO inhibitors
Incyte Corp. is all about cancer prevention or at least the onset of early treatment while the illness is still in its early and non-terminal phases. It bases its healing on the blockage of the IDO or Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, an enzyme released by the cancer tumor itself to prevent the immune system from detecting the initial development of the cancer cells.
As described by MarketWatch, Incyte’s IDO inhibitors function almost like submarine warfare of two hostile nations out to set a blockade against each other to stop the enemy from seeing the deployment of their troops or receiving much-needed supplies. Incyte wants its IDO inhibitors to set up its trenches and radar systems first before the enemy cancer does.
Novartis’ CAR-T cell therapy
Novartis’ immunotherapy treatment harvests the patient’s own healthy cells and develops them to combat the unhealthy cancer condition. CNBC elaborates that this CAR-T cell therapy functions as a drug that is injected into the patient’s body. CAR-T cell therapy has proven to be faster and more efficient than surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It also spares the patient the uncomfortable side effects of these treatments such as falling hair and fatigue.
An investment fund manager who specializes in health care told CNBC that a “revolution” in cancer treatment is happening in the industry, one that will impact the development of the industry, its professionals, and patients alike. He adds that this spark of innovation starts with the biotech companies. For those who are interested, Hemogenyx, Novartis, and Incyte Corp. are a good place to start.
Written by Anna Reyes