Our proprietary embryonic-like human extracellular matrix (hECM) produced in a hypoxic environment is currently being explored for oncology applications, both as a stand-alone cancer treatment for patients without other viable options, as well as in combination with surgery and chemotherapy treatments to improve results and reduce negative treatment effects.

Both in vitro and preclinical studies of this hECM have demonstrated its ability to diminish or eliminate tumor load in multiple cancer lines including melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer and glioma. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited across these cancer cell lines, with a 50-80% reduction in tumor weight seen in the tumor chorioallantoic membrane (tumcam) model (p<0.05) and a 70-90% reduction seen in subcutaneous mouse xenograft experiments (p<0.02).

Mechanism of Action
Our studies have shown the inhibitory effect of the hECM to be selective for malignant cells, supporting proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts, embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, while inhibiting tumor growth and cancer cell proliferation.

Research to date suggests that Histogen's proprietary material has a pro-apoptotic effect on cancer cell lines, resulting in controlled cell death. Further investigation of the mechanism responsible for cancer cell inhibition points to the upregulation of Caspase 9, triggered by follistatin and other proteins present in the hECM, which causes cancer cells and cancer stem cells to enter apoptosis.

Research Areas
Histogen's current areas of oncology research focus are carcinomatosis, a rapidly progressing and debilitating cancer, actinic keratosis, a premalignant skin condition, and pancreatic cancer.