Theralase's Rutherrin Shows Promise in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment

Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSXV: TLT) (OTCQB: TLTFF) has announced promising results for its lead compound Rutherrin in the treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The clinical stage pharmaceutical company, focused on developing light, radiation, sound, and drug-activated small molecules, reported significant efficacy in an animal model when Rutherrin was combined with metformin and radiation therapy.

Trimodal Therapy Demonstrates Significant Tumor Destruction

In a preclinical study using an A20 mouse lymphoma model, Theralase researchers found that the combination of Rutherrin, metformin (a common diabetes drug), and radiation therapy led to substantial tumor destruction and improved survival rates. The study, which simulated proposed human treatments, involved a three-week regimen of:

• Intravenous Rutherrin administration three times per week
• Daily intraperitoneal metformin injections
• Radiation therapy five times per week

Dr. Mark Roufaiel, Research Scientist at Theralase, highlighted the significance of the findings: "The A20 lymphoma tumor model is a highly aggressive model, with limited response and survival following radiation therapy alone. Our findings demonstrate that Rutherrin, even without radiation, improved survival, and notably, the combination of Rutherrin and Metformin further improved outcomes beyond either treatment alone."

The most striking results were observed with the trimodal therapy approach, combining all three treatments. In one instance, complete tumor regression was achieved, with the subject remaining tumor-free to date.

Potential Impact on NHL Treatment Landscape

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a cancer that originates in lymphocytes, ranks as the 5th to 9th most common cancer globally. In 2020, there were an estimated 544,000 new cases and 260,000 deaths attributed to NHL. The global market for NHL treatments is projected to reach $16.5 billion by 2031, underscoring the significance of Theralase's research in this field.

Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer at Theralase, expressed optimism about the study's implications: "The outcomes of this research may help identify novel therapeutic options, changing the way this and other uncurable diseases are treated. It may also help to overcome resistance mechanisms that develop due to the continuous use of the current treatment methods for NHL."

Theralase's findings could potentially lead to new treatment paradigms for aggressive lymphomas and other cancers. The company plans to conduct further studies investigating the trimodal therapy approach on various cancerous tumors to validate its effects.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to seek innovative solutions for challenging cancers, Theralase's Rutherrin and its multimodal approach represent a promising development in the ongoing battle against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and potentially other aggressive malignancies.