Mesothelioma Aid

Alfacell's ONCONASE(R) Shows Promise as Radiation Sensitizer for Lung Cancer Treatment

Source: PR Newswire October 30, 2007

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alfacell Corporation today announced that Dr. Intae Lee with the University of Pennsylvania has reported that Alfacell's ONCONASE could be a promising radiation sensitizer for lung cancer treatment. Dr. Lee presented the pre- clinical in vivo data at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTROs) 49th Annual Meeting being held Oct. 28-Nov. 1 in Los Angeles.

During his presentation, Dr. Lee provided pre-clinical evidence that ONCONASE significantly increased the radiation-induced tumor growth delay of lung tumors in vivo without increases in skin reaction compared to radiation alone. Additionally, Dr. Lee and his team of researchers identified non- invasive imaging biomarkers that can potentially be used as a therapeutic predictor for ONCONASE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

"ONCONASE significantly reduced the tumor hypertension that is the major physiological barrier of therapeutic delivery to solid tumors," said Dr. Lee. "As a result, ONCONASE increased tumor penetration and selectively increased tumor blood flow. This investigation suggests that ONCONASE may be a new and promising drug in the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients as a radiation therapy enhancer."

Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chairman and chief executive officer, added: "We're pleased to see that through continuing research we're learning about the broader potential for ONCONASE. Biomarkers are important in assessing patients' responses to treatments, and the reduction of lactate levels in response to ONCONASE is a positive indication of its possible utility."

Alfacell will host a Webinar at 8 a.m. EST on Nov. 29 on RNA interference- like mechanics of ribonuclease (RNase) therapeutics. The panel of presenters will be comprised on world-renowned RNase and RNA researchers to discuss the basics of RNases, how RNases cleave RNA to interfere with the cell cycle, and the potential clinical applications for RNase therapeutics. To participate in the Webinar, click on the link posted on the Upcoming Events section of Alfacell's Web site at www.alfacell.com and enter 154905 for the room number. Please connect to the Webinar several minutes prior to the start time to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary. The live event may also be accessed by dialing (877) 407-9205 (for U.S. callers) and (201) 689-8054 (for international callers). Questions may be asked over the telephone during the live event or e-mailed in advance to [email protected]. The Webinar will be available for replay for 90 days on Alfacell's Web site.