Paper In Advances In Experimental Medicine And Biology Reports Alfacell's ONCONASE(R) Enhances Effect Of Radiation In Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 24 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Alfacell Corporation (Nasdaq: ACEL) announced that a paper published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (2007; 599: 53-60) reports that ONCONASE significantly enhances the effect of the radiation response in human non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and in vivo.

The ongoing research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania shows that in cell culture (in vitro) studies using A549 human NSCLC cells, ONCONASE increased the radiation response by inducing inhibition of O2 consumption in tumor cells. The occurrence of apoptosis (cell death) was increased by ONCONASE and was dependent on ONCONASE dosage and length of exposure. Additionally, in animal (in vivo) studies, ONCONASE significantly increased the radiation-induced tumor growth delay of A549 human NSCLC tumors. Other findings from the research indicated that ONCONASE could also be a good candidate for the treatment of gefitinib resistant NSCLC.

"This investigation suggests important potential clinical uses of ONCONASE for the treatment of NSCLC cancer patients," said Intae Lee, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania.

Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chairman and chief executive officer, added: "This research further supports our efforts to expand the use of ONCONASE into therapeutic areas that may benefit all patients suffering from cancer."

About ONCONASE(R)

ONCONASE is a first-in-class product candidate based on Alfacell's proprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology. A natural protein isolated from the leopard frog, ONCONASE has been shown in the laboratory and clinic to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. ONCONASE triggers apoptosis, the natural death of cells, via multiple molecular mechanisms of action.

About Alfacell Corporation

Alfacell Corporation is the first company to advance a biopharmaceutical product candidate that works in a manner similar to RNA interference (RNAi) through late-stage clinical trials. The product candidate, ONCONASE, is an RNase that overcomes the challenges of targeting RNA for therapeutic purposes while enabling the development of a new class of targeted therapies for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In addition to an ongoing Phase IIIb study in malignant mesothelioma, Alfacell is conducting a Phase I/II trial of ONCONASE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors. For more information, visit http://www.alfacell.com

Safe Harbor

This press release includes statements that may constitute "forward- looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, uncertainties involved in transitioning from concept to product, uncertainties involving the ability of the company to finance research and development activities, potential challenges to or violations of patents, uncertainties regarding the outcome of clinical trials, the company's ability to secure necessary approvals from regulatory agencies, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks discussed in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

Alfacell Corporation
http://www.alfacell.com