PR News Wire
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J., Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. (Pink Sheets: ACEL) (formerly Alfacell Corporation) announced today that scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reported test results confirming two of our lead compounds showed excellent in vitro antiviral activity and no cellular toxicity at dose levels tested for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Testing was performed using the HPV 11 strain, which along with HPV type 6, is responsible for ninety percent of genital or anal warts.
According to the scientist performing the test, the results were among the top one to two percent seen by the researcher for testing of HPV type 11. The report states the following: “Excellent antiviral activity and no cellular toxicity at doses tested.”
Within the last several months, we have reported significant results for our compounds against Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, SARS, CMV, and now HPV. We are on the cusp of building an impressive antiviral portfolio that will be targeting viruses where there is currently an unmet need. Besides the fact that our drugs have shown significant antiviral activity against the viruses mentioned above, equally impressive is the fact that very low concentrations of our drugs were needed in order to show this significant antiviral activity.
It is important to realize that Onconase®, our lead compound, has been in clinical studies for other oncology indications and has proven itself to be well tolerated in over 1,000 patients treated to date. We cannot stress enough how significant our drug safety profile is as we look into entering into human clinical trials for those viruses where we have reported significant antiviral activity without the toxicity levels inherent with other viral therapies.
“This latest HPV result confirms and validates the broad range of antiviral activity our compounds have demonstrated in both RNA and DNA viruses. It is quite unusual to find a group of compounds targeting a broad range of viruses from different viral families. These are very exciting times for our shareholders, primary care physicians, and for those patients suffering from these diseases who, for so long, have been waiting for drugs that are safe and effective,” stated Tamir Chief Executive Officer Charles Muniz.
About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that includes more than 100 types. More than forty types of HPV can be passed through sexual contact. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States and the world.
When referring to HPV, there are four types of the virus one should know about. This is because these four types cause the most cases of HPV-related diseases in males and females. HPV type 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital wart cases in males and females. HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 75% of cervical cancers, 70% vaginal cancers, and up to 50% vulvar cancers in females. HPV is thought to be the only cause of cervical cancer, as well as vaginal infections with discharge and chronic infections of the urinary tract.
HPV affects both males and females. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of genital contact with someone who has HPV. Intercourse isn’t necessary in order to contract HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately twenty million Americans are currently infected with HPV and an additional six million are infected every year. HPV has become so common that at least fifty percent of sexually active men and women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Half of those infected with HPV are between fifteen and twenty-four years of age.
Home treatments for genital warts may include changes within the diet plan. Consume a diet rich in folic acid and beta carotene. Eat fruits and vegetables like radish, mango, squash and tomato which are orange, yellow and red in colour. Dark green and leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage and are also suggested. Individuals undergoing house treatments for hpv genital warts are encouraged to prevent cigarettes and caffeine.