The data from the preclinical studies showed that Onconase +/- I-buthionine sulfoximide significantly increased the radiation-induced growth delay of lung tumors in vivo without increases in skin reaction, compared to radiation alone. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro data presented indicated that Onconase significantly increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) in several human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549, NCI-H1975 and HOP-62).
The research also showed that the radiation repair mechanisms known as sub-lethal damage repair and potentially lethal damage repair, which lead to radiation resistance in tumors, were significantly inhibited by Onconase in vitro.
Kuslima Shogen, CEO of Alfacell, said: “This work by Dr Lee and his team provides further evidence of the potential for Onconase to mitigate the resistance that often develops in, and confounds the treatment of NSCLC.”