ALFACELL's ONCONASE demonstrates potential as a radiosensitizing and anti-angiogenic agent.

BLOOMFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 1996--ALFACELL Corp. (OTC: ACEL) announced today that recent research findings were presented at the Annual Meeting of Radiation Research Society held on April 14-17, 1996 in Chicago, confirming the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity of ONCONASE(R) against several tumor cell lines as well as demonstrating its potential as a radiosensitizing and anti-angiogenic agent. The findings were presented by independent research collaborator, Dr. Intae Lee, Division Head, Division of Radiation Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, Cooper Hospital University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The presentation entitled, "Changes in Radiation Response and Physiological Parameters in Various Tumors by ONCONASE(R)," Dr. I. Lee, et. al., demonstrated that ONCONASE may have potential applications as an adjuvant to radiation or to conventional chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with a variety of solid tumors.

In vitro studies were performed to examine the anti-proliferative and anti-clonogenic effects of ONCONASE on various tumor cell lines, and to examine the potential use of ONCONASE as radiation sensitizer. Additionally, in vivo studies were performed in animals to compare the anti-tumor activity of ONCONASE as a single agent versus ONCONASE in combination with minocycline, a known anti-angiogenic agent. As part of these studies, the effect of ONCONASE on tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) was examined.

These studies confirmed that ONCONASE, as a single agent, has a wide range of anti-tumor activity and that ONCONASE significantly inhibited the growth of solid tumors in vivo, which was further amplified when used in combination with minocycline. Moreover, ONCONASE significantly decreased TIFP which would make the tumor(s) more susceptible to the anti-tumor effects of other chemotherapy agents.

"These findings indicate that ONCONASE not only has potential as a radiosensitizing and anti-angiogenic agent, but also, in view of its TIFP-decreasing effects, ONCONASE may enhance tumor tissue penetration by other agents," stated Dr. Stanley Mikulski, ALFACELL's executive vice president and medical director.

ONCONASE, ALFACELL's flagship anti-cancer product, is a novel RNase protein which induces the intracellular enzymatic degradation of RNA, inhibiting cellular growth and proliferation. In Phase I/II clinical trials, ONCONASE has demonstrated positive clinical activity in several solid tumor types including advanced pancreatic, malignant mesothelioma, non-small cell lung and metastatic breast cancer. The company is currently conducting a multi-center Phase III clinical trial in advanced pancreatic cancer patients as well as a multi-center Phase II trial in malignant mesothelioma.

ALFACELL Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company located in Bloomfield, engaged primarily in the research and development of novel ribonuclease enzymes for various therapeutic applications. ONCONASE(R), a cytotoxic ribonuclease, is being tested in clinical trials for solid tumors which are known to be resistant to other currently available cancer therapies. The company's common stock is traded over-the-counter under the symbol "ACEL".

CONTACT: ALFACELL Corporation, Bloomfield

Donna Brasko, Director Corporate Communications

201/748-8082