Study thread:
http://www.hotcopper.com.au/post_thread.asp?fid=1&tid=84527&sym=PGL&MSGNO=227592#227592
Post 227592: Extract:
Here is a summary of what PI-88 does-Reference PGL's website or reports:
"In preclinical studies, PI-88 has been shown to retard the growth of primary tumors by inhibiting new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) through two mechanisms:
First; PI-88 inhibits endothelial cell proliferation by preventing the growth factors bFGF and VEGF from binding to the receptors on endothelial cells. ( Endothelial cells form the walls of blood vessels)
Second; PI-88 inhibits the heparanase enzyme secreted by a variety of cells, thus preventing the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the release of growth factors. (Heparanase degrades the natural "glue" or extracellular matrix which holds cells together in a human body).
Additionally, PI-88 has exhibited the ability to inhibit metastasis in animal models by inactivating heparanase. This prevents the degradation of the extracellular matrix and the basement membrane of blood vessels which would otherwise allow the migration of tumor cells across the basement membrane".
Growth Factors:
BFGF: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, one of a family of naturally occurring chemical messengers (cytokines) that stimulate blood vessel growth. Also known as FGF-2.
VEGF: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, one of a family of naturally occurring chemical messengers (cytokines) that stimulate blood vessel growth.
Heparanase
An enzyme of the class endoglycosidase which is capable of cleaving heparan sulfate and has been implicated in many important physiological and pathological processes including tumour cell metastasis, angiogenesis and leukocyte migration.
Angiogenesis
The development of new blood vessels. This process is essential for the formation of tumours and metastasis.
"PI-88 is a small molecule with anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic and anti-thrombotic properties".
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Thus, the Announcement of 4 July 2003 mentions that PI-88 has multiple action, in this case at least 3 inhibiting factors come into play. This differs from other anti-angiogenic drugs which tend to inhibit one growth factor or enzyme.
+ + + It is therefore a powerful drug which because of its multiple action, may be valuable in a range of diseases rather than just one. + + +
* * * Or it could be used in combination with someone else's drug and so increase the range of inhibitors and speed up success * * *
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So, PI-88 is a powerful drug because it has a number of effective inhibitors.
Gerry
Readers, please do your own research and you decide if and when to buy, hold or sell any stocks.
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