Acetium® is used in a Japanese cancer study – according to Professor Katsunori Iijima, the product can be a significant way to prevent cancer
Biohit Oyj Press Release November 19, 2015 at 14:45 pm local time (EET)
Professor Katsunori Iijima, Chief of Gastroenterology Department from Akita University hospital (Japan) believes that Biohit Oyj’s Acetium®-products containing slow-release L-cysteine might offer a new means to prevent esophageal and gastric cancers. These unique products on the market (Acetium® capsule and Acetium® lozenge) are based on slow topical release of L-cysteine in the stomach and saliva, respectively. Professor Iijima visited Biohit Oyj this week to introduce his planned new studies.
Professor Iijima has conducted acetaldehyde- and cancer-related research for several years. His research group has confirmed that Acetium® removes acetaldehyde effectively from the gastric fluid. In his new studies, he will assess the effect of Acetium® on acetaldehyde concentrations in esophageal and gastric mucosa as well as its possible role in prevention of recurrent cancer among these high-risk patients. Professor Iijima’s team will use also GastroPanel test developed by Biohit Oyj to estimate the cancer risk in these patients (see the attachment Additional Information).
Acetaldehyde is classified as Class I human carcinogen by a WHO organization IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). The exposure to acetaldehyde is particularly high in East and Southeast Asia, where nearly 600 million people bear a specific gene mutation, which predisposes these people to high concentrations of carcinogenic acetaldehyde after alcohol drinking. As a result, their risk for oral, pharyngeal, esophageal and gastric cancer is markedly increased as compared with people devoid of this mutation in acetaldehyde metabolizing enzyme (ALDH2).
Professor Iijima, Akita University: ‘Esophageal and gastric cancer associated with acetaldehyde represent a major global disease burden. Based on our preliminary observations, I’m convinced that removing acetaldehyde with Acetium® is a promising new tool for reduction of the risk of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer.’
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: ’Professor Iijima and his group have made important contributions in esophageal and gastric cancer research. Professor Iijima is an important opinion leader in this field in his country and a leading expert in gastrointestinal cancer in Japan. Biohit Oyj is looking forward to the new research projects getting started.
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com