AEMD Looking At Melanoma
Brian Marckx, CFA
Aethlon (
AEMD
)
noted in a press release yesterday (6/11/12) that based on findings
from a study led by Cornell University and just published in the
(online version) journal Nature, that the company may pursue a
melanoma treatment study that has been proposed by a (unnamed) U.S.
cancer research institute.
The Cornell study found that exosomes released by melanoma cancer
cells facilitated the spread of the disease throughout the body and
to other organs and bones. There was also a predictive
relationship between exosome levels and severity of cancer with
late-stage (IV) patients presenting with much greater exosomes
levels compared to earlier stage patients. This indicates
that removal of exosomes from circulation could reduce progression
of the deleterious effects of melanoma to other parts of the body
and potentially improve patient outcomes. Aethlon has
previously demonstrated in pre-clinical testing that their
Hemopurifier can capture exosomes from patients with late-stage
melanoma.
Melanoma, the incidence of which is growing rapidly, is the most
deadly form of skin cancer, accounting for approximately 4% of all
skin cancer cases. Melanoma can be lethal, especially if it
penetrates the lowest skin layer and enters the lymph system.
Statistics show that five-year survivability is as high as 97% if
melanoma if diagnosed and treated at its earliest stage (IA) but
this drops precipitously as the disease progresses. As such,
a device that could effectively treat these late-stage melanoma
patients would have massive appeal, not just in the U.S. but
worldwide.
U.S. Melanoma Survivability by Disease Stage
Source: American Cancer Society
Dramatically Escalating Incidence of Melanoma
Incidence of Melanoma in U.S.
Source: SEER
As a melanoma study is still in the early proposal stage and
Aethlon remains focused on the near-term opportunities with HCV and
the DARPA contract, management does not currently have a timeline
when a melanoma study may commence. We noted previously in
our coverage of Aethlon that we view the company's cancer program
as more of a work in progress relative to HCV but potentially
offering a longer-term opportunity. This proposed melanoma
study could potentially speed the cancer program along, although
still likely to be more of a back-burner application as Aethlon
pursues their near-term endeavors. Nonetheless, we view this
as a positive development, potentially offering another opportunity
for Aethlon and their Hemopurifier.
Please visit Brian Marckx's coverage page at
scr.zacks.com
for a free copy of the full AEMD research report.
AETHLON MEDICAL (AEMD): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.