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Of MuGard Clinical Data In Cancer Journal14:36 18.02.14


PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2014

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP) announced the online early publication of the final results of its post-approval marketing study of MuGard® in Cancer, the journal of the American Cancer Society and one of the oldest peer-reviewed journals in oncology. The publication, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptoms in Patients Being Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," is available at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.  The publication discusses data on Access' post-marketing clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of MuGard in controlling symptoms caused by oral mucositis in 120 patients receiving chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of cancers of the head and neck.

MuGard was shown to be superior to the sham control saline-bicarbonate rinse in mitigating oral mucositis symptoms and delaying oral mucositis progression. In the trial, MuGard met the primary endpoint, achieving a statistically significant reduction in mouth and throat soreness associated with oral mucositis. MuGard also achieved significance in a secondary endpoint, the measure of mucositis severity at the end of radiation treatment using a physician-based assessment of severity (WHO score). Additional secondary endpoints where MuGard demonstrated superiority were reduced opioid use and weight loss.

"Oral mucositis is one of the most challenging adverse side-effects we face when treating our cancer patients," stated Dr. Ron R. Allison of Carolina Radiation Medicine, Greenville, NC. Dr. Allison, a principal investigator in the MuGard trial, continued "From a patient quality-of-life perspective, the reduction in mouth-and-throat soreness and reduced dependence upon opioids are extremely important. Patients using MuGard showed better weight maintenance, indicative of a superior nutritional status during the intensive cancer treatment regimen. As a physician, I was particularly impressed by the fact that the reduction of oral mucositis severity and mouth-and-throat soreness in the MuGard group was statistically significant."

"Oral mucositis continues to be a significant unmet medical need with horrific symptomatic consequences. This multi-institutional study provides strong evidence of MuGard's effectiveness in reducing pain associated with radiation-induced injury," stated Stephen T. Sonis, DMD, DMSc, an expert on cancer treatment complications, Clinical Professor of Oral Medicine at Harvard and the primary author of the protocol for this trial. "Access' commitment to demonstrate MuGard's benefit through a rigorous clinical trial process separates MuGard from currently available rinses and sets a new standard for evidence-based use of agents in this class."

No difference in adverse events was observed between patients receiving MuGard and those patients receiving the saline-bicarbonate control. No patients discontinued MuGard treatment because of an adverse event while two patients using the sham-control ended their medication use due to nausea or vomiting.

"Access is extremely pleased with the outcome and publication of this clinical study of MuGard, and thank the many participating clinicians, sites and authors for the participation in this important trial," stated Jeffrey B. Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Raising the level of visibility for MuGard should expand its usage, and availability, both domestically and abroad.  Access is actively seeking additional marketing agreements in Europe, the Far East and in other un-licensed territories and will keep all stakeholders apprised as to developments in this area."

About Oral Mucositis: Oral mucositis ("OM") is a debilitating side effect of some radiation and chemotherapy cancer treatments, characterized by sores and ulcers in the mouth and throat that make swallowing difficult or impossible. It is estimated that 97% of patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancer, 70% of patients receiving stem cell transplantation and up to 40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy develop oral mucositis. There are an estimated 400,000 patients diagnosed with OM in the US annually, but OM is often under-diagnosed and the population at risk is significantly higher.

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard was launched in 2010 after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Scott Nogi

Vice President

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6203

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

Access recently announced publication of positive MuGard clinical data in Cancer, the journal of the American Cancer Society. The publication, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptoms in Patients Being Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," is available at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

About Oral Mucositis: Oral mucositis ("OM") is a debilitating side effect of some radiation and chemotherapy cancer treatments, characterized by sores and ulcers in the mouth and throat that make swallowing difficult or impossible. It is estimated that 97% of patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancer, 70% of patients receiving stem cell transplantation and up to 40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy develop oral mucositis. There are an estimated 400,000 patients diagnosed with OM in the US annually, but OM is often under-diagnosed and the population at risk is significantly higher.

About MuGard: MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard was launched in 2010 after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States.

About Hanmi: Established in 1973, Hanmi Pharmaceutical dedicates over 15% of its annual revenue into research and development on novel drug discovery and incrementally modified drugs. Hanmi transferred its technology to Roche and Novartis in what was Korea's first and largest scale in drug technology export. Hanmi further raised its global profile and recognition as the pharmaceutical leader of South Korea following its export license and agreement with Merck on Hanmi's fixed dose hypertension drug Amosartan. Beginning with the establishment of Beijing Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd in domestic China, Hanmi is expanding its global presence into major markets such as Japan, Europe and USA. For more information, please visit www.hanmipharm.com/eng/.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timeliness and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Christine Berni

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

Davis continued, "Access intends to follow the MuGard® development and commercialization strategy with ProctiGard™ by progressing manufacturing scale-up, the signing of multiple commercialization partners here in the US and abroad, and the completion and successful publication of supportive, positive clinical data similar to the recently published MuGard® clinical trial data in Cancer."

About Radiation Proctitis:  Radiation proctitis is the inflammation and damage to the lower portion of the colon, primarily the sigmoid colon and rectum, after exposure to x-rays or ionizing radiation as part of radiation therapy.  RP is most common after treatments for cancer, such as cervical, colon, and prostate cancer.  RP can be acute, occurring within weeks of initiation of therapy, or can occur months or years after treatment, and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, cramps, urgency, mucus discharge and painful defecation.  Experts believe that RP occurs due to damage to the blood vessels that occurs as part of the radiation therapy.

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard was launched in 2010 after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI Pharmaceuticals in China, and Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on MuGard®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products including ProctiGard™. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Scott Nogi

Vice President  

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6203

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire  

"Access has recently filed for expanded patent protection of its mucoadhesive polymer hydrogel technology and is engaged with regulatory consultants and bodies on the identification of appropriate pathways for a number of MuGard® follow-on products," stated Jeffrey B. Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The recently announced ProctiGard™ program, for radiation proctitis, is the first of a number of product programs that highlights the power of this drug delivery platform."

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI/Jian An Pharmaceuticals in China, and Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on MuGard®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products including ProctiGard™. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Christine Berni

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

"Leveraging upon our success with MuGard®, Access is actively working on a number of follow-on products that focus on applications of our base product in other mucosal tissue, such as the recently discussed ProctiGard™ for the treatment of radiation proctitis, and now LexaGard™ which incorporates an active pharmaceutical agent," stated Jeffrey B. Davis, President and CEO of Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "While Access is exploring the use of LexaGard™ in the esophagus, in conditions such as Barrett's esophagus, amlexanox has been gaining renewed attention recently as academic studies have shown that it may have broad utility in a number of conditions that are caused or exacerbated by chronic, low-level inflammation, such as diabetes, obesity and a variety of neurological conditions. We believe a proprietary formulation of amlexanox, in an easy to use format, could have broad clinical applications and commercial appeal."

LexaGard™ is a proprietary formulation of amlexanox in a mucoadhesive hydrogel formulation designed for treatment of conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract including Barrett's esophagus and esophagitis. Amlexanox has been shown to be as effective as dexamethasone in treatment of erosive oral lichen planus. Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition thought to be caused by chronic acid exposure from reflux esophagitis, and is estimated to be present in 10% to 20% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard® is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard® was launched in 2010 after receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI Pharmaceuticals in China, and Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on MuGard®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard® and is developing multiple follow-on products including ProctiGard™. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Scott Nogi

Vice President

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6203

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

Oral lichen planus ("OLP") is a chronic, dermatologic autoimmune disease affecting mucosal tissue and skin including, but not limited to, the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, nails and scalp. The prevalence of oral lichen planus in the US is unknown, but it is estimated to affect approximately one to two percent of the general adult population, predominately in adults older than 40 years, although younger adults and children can be affected. Patients with OLP are believed to have a higher risk of oral cancer and should be monitored regularly. Typically treatment includes systemic steroids or immunosuppressants, and there is a significant need for additional treatment regimens.

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States, RHEI Pharmaceuticals in China, and Hanmi Pharmaceuticals in Korea. Clinical data on MuGard®, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptom in Patients being treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," was recently published online at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/full.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products including ProctiGard™. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Christine Berni

Vice President, Corporate Development

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6203

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

Access recently announced that one of the oldest peer-reviewed journals in oncology, the American Cancer Society's journal publication, Cancer, featured MuGard as the cover article of its May 2014 edition. The publication, entitled "Multi-Institutional, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of a Mucoadhesive Hydrogel (MuGard) in Mitigating Oral Mucositis Symptoms in Patients Being Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head and Neck," discusses data on Access' post-marketing clinical trial that evaluated the efficacy of MuGard in controlling symptoms caused by oral mucositis in 120 patients receiving chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of cancers of the head and neck.  In the trial, MuGard was shown to be superior to the sham control saline-bicarbonate rinse in mitigating oral mucositis symptoms and delaying oral mucositis progression.  The article can be accessed by clicking on the following link:  onlinelibrary.wiley.com/enhanced/doi/10.1002/cncr.28553/

Oral Mucositis: Oral mucositis ("OM") is a debilitating side effect of some radiation and chemotherapy cancer treatments, characterized by sores and ulcers in the mouth and throat that make swallowing difficult or impossible. It is estimated that 97% of patients receiving radiation for head and neck cancer, 70% of patients receiving stem cell transplantation and up to 40% of patients receiving conventional chemotherapy develop oral mucositis. There are an estimated 400,000 patients diagnosed with OM in the US annually, but OM is often under-diagnosed and the population at risk is significantly higher.

About MuGard:  MuGard® Mucoadhesive Oral Wound Rinse is indicated for the management of oral mucositis/stomatitis (that may be caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) and all types of oral wounds (mouth sores and injuries), including aphthous ulcers/canker sores and traumatic ulcers, such as those caused by oral surgery or ill-fitting dentures or braces. MuGard is available by prescription only and is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formulation. MuGard received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is marketed by AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States.  MuGard is also licensed in China, RHEI/Jian An, and in Korea with Hamni Pharmaceuticals.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism.  For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Christine Berni

VP Corporate Development

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire

Radiation proctitis (RP) is a condition analogous to oral mucositis in the oral cavity, concerning the inflammation and damage to lower parts of the colon following pelvic radiation to the region. Rectal mucositis, a broader condition, can also be caused by factors other than radiation, including bacterial, viral or fungal infections, parasites, contact allergies or food allergies, and surgery.  It is estimated that there are in excess of 250,000 new cases of prostate, cervical, rectal, testicular, bladder and endometrial cancer diagnosed each year. Approximately 50% of these patients require radiation therapy, and roughly 75% of patients undergoing pelvic irradiation experience radiation proctitis. Access is actively evaluating commercialization options for ProctiGard™, including the seeking of global marketing partners.

About Rectal Mucositis / Radiation Proctitis

Rectal mucositis, and specifically radiation proctitis, is the inflammation and damage to the lower portion of the colon, primarily the sigmoid colon and rectum, after exposure to x-rays or ionizing radiation as part of radiation therapy.  RP is most common after treatments for cancer, such as cervical, colon, and prostate cancer.  RP can be acute, occurring within weeks of initiation of therapy, or can occur months or years after treatment, and symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, cramps, urgency, mucus discharge and painful defecation.  Experts believe that RP occurs due to damage to the blood vessels that occurs as part of the radiation therapy.

About Access: Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes proprietary products for the treatment and supportive care of cancer patients. Access developed MuGard and is developing multiple follow-on products. Access also has other advanced drug delivery technologies including CobaCyte™-mediated targeted delivery and CobOral-oral drug delivery, its proprietary nanopolymer delivery technology based on the natural vitamin B12 uptake mechanism. For additional information on Access Pharmaceuticals, please visit our website at www.accesspharma.com.

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include those relating to: our cash burn rate, clinical trial plans and timelines and clinical results for MuGard and Cobalamin, our ability to achieve clinical and commercial success and our ability to successfully develop marketed products. These statements are subject to numerous risks, including but not limited to Access' need to obtain additional financing in order to continue the clinical trial and operations and to the risks detailed in Access' Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Access with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company and Media Contact:

Christine Berni

VP Corporate Development

Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(212) 786-6208

SOURCE Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Quelle: PR Newswire