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In the poster titled "The inhibition of radiation repair by ranpirnase +/-I-buthionine sulfoximide on lung cancer," Dr. Lee provided pre-clinicalevidence that ONCONASE +/- I-buthionine sulfoximide significantly increasedthe radiation-induced growth delay of lung tumors in vivo without increases inskin reaction, compared to radiation alone. Additionally, in vivo and invitro data presented indicated that ONCONASE significantly increased apoptosis(programmed cell death) in several human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)cell lines (A549, NCI-H1975 and HOP-62). Dr. Lee and his team of researchersalso showed that the radiation repair mechanisms known as sub-lethal damagerepair (SLDR) and potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR), which lead toradiation resistance in tumors, were significantly inhibited by ONCONASE invitro.
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"Our research suggests potential utility of ONCONASE as a radiotherapyenhancer for the treatment of NSCLC patients," said Dr. Lee. "It is importantto overcome PLDR as it can ultimately lead to radiation resistance. One ofour key findings is the inhibiting impact of ONCONASE on the PLDR mechanism,which is a pre-requisite to developing a radiotherapy enhancer."
Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chief executive officer, added: "This work byDr. Lee and his team provides further evidence of the potential for ONCONASEto mitigate the resistance that often develops in, and confounds the treatmentof NSCLC."
About ONCONASE(R)
ONCONASE is a first-in-class product candidate based on Alfacell'sproprietary ribonuclease (RNase) technology. A natural protein isolated fromthe leopard frog, ONCONASE has been shown in the laboratory and clinic totarget 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 biopharmaceuticalproduct candidate that works in a manner similar to RNA interference (RNAi)through late-stage clinical trials. The product candidate, ONCONASE, is anRNase that overcomes the challenges of targeting RNA for therapeutic purposeswhile enabling the development of a new class of targeted therapies for cancerand other life-threatening diseases. In addition to an ongoing Phase IIIbstudy in malignant mesothelioma, Alfacell is conducting a Phase I/II trial ofONCONASE in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other solid tumors. Formore 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-lookingstatements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results todiffer materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that wouldcause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to,uncertainties involved in transitioning from concept to product, uncertaintiesinvolving the ability of the company to finance research and developmentactivities, potential challenges to or violations of patents, uncertaintiesregarding the outcome of clinical trials, the company's ability to securenecessary approvals from regulatory agencies, dependence upon third-partyvendors, and other risks discussed in the company's periodic filings with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-look
