Alfacell, Onconase Inhibits Tumor Growth Of Non-small Cell

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Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer Cells - Update

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Monday, April 16, 2007; Posted: 03:17 PM

(RTTNews) - Alfacell Corp. (ACEL | charts | news | PowerRating), a biopharmaceutical company, on Monday reported that data from pre-clinical studies presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting show that Onconase (ranpirnase) significantly inhibits tumor growth of non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer cells. The shares gained nearly 15% in the afternoon trading.

Additionally, the data indicated that twice weekly injections of Onconase were more effective than an equivalent single dose injection in these tumor types.

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 and other solid tumors.

"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 pre-clinical and clinical studies," said Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chairman and chief executive officer.

The Bloomfield, New Jersey-based company said Onconase is a first-in-class therapeutic product candidate based on Alfacell's proprietary ribonuclease technology. A natural protein isolated from the leopard frog, Onconase has been shown to target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Onconase triggers apoptosis, the natural death of cells, via multiple molecular mechanisms of action.