Preclinical Data Show Alfacell's ONCONASE(R) Inhibits Tumor Growth Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer Cells

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 17 Apr 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Alfacell Corporation (Nasdaq: ACEL) today announced that in vivo and in vitro preclinical data presented in a poster at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting show that ONCONASE (ranpirnase) significantly inhibits tumor growth of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer cells.

In the poster titled "Increased apoptosis and reduced lactate levels by ranpirnase in human lung and breast cancer", Intae Lee, Ph.D. and collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that ONCONASE significantly inhibited tumor growth by inducing apoptosis (cell death) in A549 and NCI-H1975 human NSCLC cells and MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells without damaging non-cancerous cells such as HLF-1 human lung fibroblast and NCI/3T3 fibroblast. Additionally, the data indicated that twice weekly injections of ONCONASE were more effective than an equivalent single dose injection in these tumor types.

"The findings of our investigation suggest important potential clinical uses of ONCONASE for the treatment of NSCLC and breast cancer," said Dr. Lee.

Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chairman and chief executive officer, added: "This research adds to the extensive published data that supports our continued development of ONCONASE for multiple cancer indications. The ONCONASE franchise includes the gateway indication of malignant mesothelioma and several other tumor types for which we are continuing preclinical and clinical studies."

About ONCONASE(R)

ONCONASE is a first-in-class therapeutic 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

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