SOMERSET, N.J., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Alfacell Corporation today announced that a paper published in the International Journal of Oncology (2007; Vol. 31, Issue 3: 663-669) reports that ONCONASE(R) substantially decreases reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in normal cell types and tumor cell lines. The observed antioxidant activity of ONCONASE may be important to its cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and mechanistic synergism with other anti-cancer agents.
The pre-clinical in vitro research conducted by Alfacell and researchers at New York Medical College demonstrated that treatment of cells in cultures with ONCONASE reduced intracellular oxidative stress by suppressing ROI generation and promoting their degradation. The anti-oxidative function of ONCONASE may be an important element of its antiproliferative/cytotoxic activity towards cancer cells and a possible mechanism of its well-documented synergism with other anti-cancer agents. Additionally, the data indicate that ONCONASE has a propensity to reverse the generation of ROI from asbestos exposure in mesothelial cells. The Company is currently conducting a Phase IIIb human clinical trial of ONCONASE for the treatment of patients suffering from unresectable malignant mesothelioma.
“The data further confirm the cytotoxic effect of ONCONASE on cancer cells,” said Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell’s chairman and chief executive officer. “ONCONASE’s therapeutic potential is broad. This study shows that ONCONASE has potential not only for cancer, but for conditions pathogenetically related to oxidative stress or the activation of NF-kappa B, such as inflammation, autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis and septic shock.”
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 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.
Media Contact: Investor Contact: David Schull or Wendy Lau Andreas Marathovouniotis Russo Partners Russo Partners 212-845-4271 212-845-4253 david.schull@russopartnersllc.comandreas.marathis@russopartnersllc.comwendy.lau@russopartnersllc.com
Alfacell Corporation
CONTACT: Media, David Schull, david.schull@russopartnersllc.com, or WendyLau, wendy.lau@russopartnersllc.com, +1-212-845-4271, or Investors, AndreasMarathovouniotis, +1-212-845-4253, andreas.marathis@russopartnersllc.com,all of Russo Partners for Alfacell Corporation
Web site: http://www.alfacell.com/
