Alfacell to explore potential of Onconase in prevention of mesothelioma

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., May 18 - Alfacell Corp., in cooperation with the Department of Cancer Control, Ministry of Health in Turkey, will evaluate the potential of the company's Onconase (ranpirnase) and other medications to prevent mesothelioma.

The Nevsehir region of Turkey, where a high risk of mesothelioma exists, is the first selected area for the program, according to a company news release.

"Our hypothesis is that Onconase, with its proven affinity for rapidly dividing cancerous cells, inhibition of protein synthesis and induction of apoptosis, will block the formation of tumors and therefore arrest or eradicate the disease in its early stages without the need for surgery," the chairman of Alfacell's Thoracic Cancer Advisory Board, Michele Carbone, said in the release.

Alfacell said Onconase and other drugs will be provided at no cost to patients while Carbone and his team monitor the efficacy of the various agents as preventative treatments.

The Ministry of Health in Turkey will pay the clinical costs.

Alfacell is a Bloomfield, N.J., biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for cancer.

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