A novel anti-cancer RNase shows promise for advanced breast cancer patients; Preliminary Phase II results on ONCONASE presented at International Conference.

BLOOMFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 1996--Preliminary Phase II results involving ALFACELL Corporation's (OTCBB:ACEL) anti-cancer drug, ONCONASE(R) as a single-agent in patients with advanced breast cancer were presented on July 3, 1996 at the 21st Meeting of the International Association for Breast Cancer Research, Paris, France. The presentation entitled "A New Anti-Cancer RNase (ONCONASE): Preliminary Results in Patients with Breast Cancer," was made by Dr. Abraham Mittelman, Associate Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y.

More than 45,000 deaths from breast cancer were reported in the U.S. in 1995 -- it remains the second major cause of cancer death in women. Although the 5-year survival rate for patients with localized breast cancer has risen from 78% to 94% in the last several decades, the 5-year survival rate for patients with Stage 4 disease is only 18%, according to the American Cancer Society.

Of the 17 patients (88% Stage 4), 13 had previously failed frontline chemotherapy. With ONCONASE, one patient achieved a partial response (greater than 50% reduction in tumor), one patient achieved a minor response (less than a 50% reduction in tumor), and four patients achieved stable disease (no progression of disease for at least 3 months). The overall median survival time (MST) was 13 months (range 1.5 months to 5 years) for all patients.

"These data strongly suggest that further studies with ONCONASE, in combination with drugs such as taxanes and other standard breast cancer agents, may be clinically beneficial to patients who have failed standard frontline chemotherapy treatments," stated Dr. Mittelman. "Historically, these patients have a poor prognosis which underscores the need for new treatment options for this patient population."

Developed by ALFACELL scientists, ONCONASE(R) is a novel RNase protein used in the investigational treatment of patients with solid tumors, most of which are resistant to other chemotherapeutic drugs. ONCONASE has been used in the treatment of over 350 patients with variety of solid tumors and has demonstrated activity in multiple-drug resistant tumor lines. Multiple drug resistance is thought to be responsible for approximately 90% of chemotherapy failures. The Company is currently conducting multi-center Phase III clinical trials in advanced pancreatic cancer patients as well as a multi-center Phase II trial in malignant mesothelioma.

ALFACELL Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company located in Bloomfield, N.J. is engaged primarily in the research and development of novel ribonuclease enzymes for various therapeutic applications. The Company's common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market under the symbol "ACEL."

CONTACT: ALFACELL Corporation

Donna N. Brasko, 201/748-8082