Supportive care in oncology
Applications of Spirulysat® for support care
Spirulysat® is the emblematic product of AlgoSource, obtained thanks to a unique and patented process of cold-water extraction, without solvents or chemicals. Performed without any heat treatment, this exclusive process makes it possible to isolate the most powerful active ingredients from spirulina and retain all their original properties.
Spirulysat® is, thus, a pure complex of the molecules of interest in spirulina. Among these, phycocyanins are at the heart of this extract of high added value.
Today, the technological mastery that AlgoSource has been able to develop allows it to dose its phycocyanin extracts on demand, thereby offering cutting-edge health applications, prevention of pathologies or supportive care, in addition to curative medication protocols to support the quality of life of patients.
For almost 10 years, AlgoSource has worked with the Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine (CRNH) Grand Ouest, which is part of the Nantes University Hospital and the INRA, as well as with the Biofortis laboratory of the Biomérieux group. It is with these laboratories that the antioxidant activity of Spirulysat® and specific health applications have been demonstrated.
To reduce the side effects of drug treatments
Chemotherapy is currently the most commonly used manner of treating cancer.
However, the drugs administered also act on the other cells of the body and, therefore, cause undesirable side effects, frequent but of varying intensity depending on the molecules used, the dosages, the modes of administration and the individuals undergoing treatment.
The most common side effects include changes in blood count (decreased levels of certain white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets), digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation), hair loss, fatigue, numbness or tingling sensations.
It is known, for example, that platinum salts (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) and taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are neurotoxic and cause the development of peripheral neuropathies in patients. Anthracyclines (epirubicin, pirarubicin, idarubicin, zorubicin, aclarubicin, doxorubicin) are known to promote lipid peroxidation and be cardio-toxic.
In order to limit these undesirable side effects, doses are generally adjusted, i.e., a reduction in the doses administered, spacing out of the treatments, or even interruption of the treatments.
However, this dosage adjustment compromises the patient’s chances of remission and survival.
Through empiric trials conducted simultaneously in Spain and France by oncologists and naturopaths, AlgoSource has highlighted the potential role of one of its microalgae extract, with a dose effect, on the prevention and/or reduction of undesirable side effects induced by anti-cancer therapeutic treatment and, in particular, chemotherapy-type treatment.
This specific application of Spirulysat® was the subject of a patent for invention.
At the end of 2020, to clinically confirm the effect of its microalgae extract, AlgoSource launched a phase 2 clinical trial in conjunction with the onco-haematology research centre of the Nantes University Hospital to formally position Spirulysat® as a supportive care treatment within the framework of the overall protocol for cancer treatment.
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