Onconase Is Available in Europe to Patients With Malignant Mesothelioma

Tuesday July 10, 10:06 am Eastern Time

Press Release

Alfacell Expands Malignant Mesothelioma Program Internationally

BLOOMFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2001--Alfacell Corporation (OTCBB:ACEL - news) today announced that its clinical program to evaluate the combination regimen of ONCONASE® + doxorubicin has been expanded to include major cancer centers in Germany, Italy and Denmark.

Over 15 sites in Germany, Italy and Denmark will be participating in Alfacell's International Malignant Mesothelioma Program. Enrollment of patients in Germany has been initiated. Italy and Denmark will follow shortly.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) represents a distinct type of malignancy that is clearly different from other forms of cancer. MM originates from the mesothelial cells in the lining of the lung, heart and abdominal or pelvic cavities. It occurs primarily in adults, predominately in males. Typically, patients report the following symptoms: chest or abdominal pain, breathing difficulty, recent weight loss, anorexia and fatigue at the time of diagnosis. Although the typical survival of patients with unrespectable disease has been reported to be 6-9 months from diagnosis, a large number die within 3-4 months, while some rarely survive beyond 2 years.

Since the cause of MM has been linked in a majority of cases to asbestos exposure, there has been a worldwide effort to limit or prevent exposure to asbestos. However, due to the known latency of 20 to 50 years, the impact of this effort will not affect MM incidence for several decades. Epidemiological studies have projected that a huge "mortality wave'' is coming with an estimated 250,000 deaths within the next 35 years in Europe alone. These statistics clearly support the need for an effective new agent.

"We are very pleased that patients in Europe now will have potential access to ONCONASE® treatment for malignant mesothelioma, while we continue with the regulatory process of gaining marketing approval for ONCONASE® in both the United States and Europe,'' stated Stanislaw Mikulski, M.D., Alfacell's medical director.

For more information concerning participation in our International Malignant Mesothelioma Program, please contact Alfacell at patientinfo@alfacell.com.

**** POSTED JULY 13, 2001 ***