Zelda Therapeutics (ASX:ZLD) has expanded its previously announced research collaboration with Curtin University.
The company said the expansion will focus on in vivo animal studies to investigate the effect of a range of its formulations in combination with existing chemotherapy agents abraxane and gemcitabine.
It added treatment protocols will closely mirror typical standard of care protocols utilised by oncologists in treating patients with pancreatic cancer.
"There is a growing body of evidence that whole plant cannabinoid extracts can impede cancer growth and potentially render the tumour more responsive to chemotherapeutic agents," said the company.
Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most common cancer globally and has a low five-year survival rate. In Australia, it is estimated there are around 3,000 new diagnoses each year.
According to Zelda executive chairman, Harry Karelis, “We are very excited to be able to expand the existing collaboration with Professor Marco Falasca’s team at Curtin University. The data to be generated by this new programme has the potential to open new avenues of treatment for a cancer with very low survival rates. We look forward to results being generated over coming months and progressing the body of knowledge in this important field.”
Head of the Metabolic Signalling Group at Curtin University, Professor Marco Falasca, added, "The expanded collaboration with Zelda is a great opportunity to provide scientific validation to the use of cannabis in combination with chemotherapy agents in cancer treatment.”