'Use of a Peptide Nucleic Acid Complex in Cancer Regulation and Metastasis:
A Preliminary Report of Bi-Modal Effects in Vitro'
YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Viral Research
Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR) announced that its consultant and
spokesperson James T. D'Olimpio M.D. today presented preclinical data on
AVR118, at the 1st ISC (International Society of Chemotherapy) - Molecular
Targets, Pharmacology and Clinical Applications in Florence, Italy. Dr.
D'Olimpio exhibited a poster presentation on the "Use of a Peptide Nucleic
Acid Complex in Cancer Regulation and Metastasis: A Preliminary Report of
Bi-Modal Effects in Vitro."
The presentation showed the results of preclinical research conducted by
Drs. Shalom Hirschman, Maribel de Diego and Sharon Malia in collaboration with
Dr. D'Olimpio on the Company's flagship product, AVR118. The objectives of
the studies were to determine the in vitro biologic effects of AVR118 in two
separate experimental cancer systems: 1) a differentiation model (leukemia
cells) and 2) a metastasis model (invasive breast cancer cells).
"We are very encouraged by the data presented by Dr. D'Olimpio. Not only
does the research show application for AVR118 in additional indications, but
it helps us better understand the potential role of the product in cancer
therapeutics," said Dr. Elma Hawkins, President and CEO of Advanced Viral
Research Corp.
The poster presentation showed that AVR118 exhibits two distinct
anti-cancer effects: one, in its ability to induce maturation of malignant
leukemic cells; and the other in its ability to inhibit metastasis and
invasion of a highly malignant breast cancer cell line.
ADVR has previously reported that when undifferentiated HL60 leukemia
cells are cultured in the presence of AVR118 not only is growth of the cells
inhibited but cell differentiation is induced as measured by expression of
mature cell surface markers CD14 and CD35. Additional signals stimulating
mRNA directed synthesis of MNP9 and TIMP-1, important in regulation of cell
migration, invasion and metastasis were also discovered which lead to the
second series of experiments involving breast cancer.
It is known that the highly malignant breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231
expresses mRNA that codes for two cell surface receptors CXCR4 and CCR5. These
receptors are responsible in part for causing breast cancer to metastasize
(spread) to other organs such as the liver and lung. When AVR118 is added to
these cells in increasing concentration, and then placed in a biologically
active gel matrix that mimics a living organ, they are prevented from invading
into the gel and spreading through it. This effect is not seen when AVR118 is
not present, hence a separate and distinct mode of action appears to be
inherent in AVR118 spectrum of biologic activity.
For this reason a bimodal conceptual framework was presented to more than
150 investigators in Florence, Italy. In addition, these findings will be
published in the Journal of Chemotherapy Volume 16, supplementN.1 February
2004.
The 1st ISC International Conference on Cancer Therapeutics - Molecular
Targets, Pharmacology and Clinical Applications was held at Palazzo dei
Congressi, Piazza Adua 1, 50123 Firenze, Italy (http://www.firenze-expo.it).
ADVR's AVR118 represents a biopolymer that possesses novel immunomodulator
activity. This peptide-nucleic acid, which to date has shown no indication of
human toxicity, appears to stimulate the proinflammatory responses required to
combat viral infections such as AIDS and human papillomavirus and to dampen
aberrant autoimmune-type inflammatory responses, such as occur in patients
with rheumatoid arthritis. AVR118 is in clinical trials in Israel for the
treatment of cachexia (body wasting) in patients with AIDS.
For further information regarding Advanced Viral Research Corp., please
visit our website at http://www.adviral.com. Advanced Viral Research Corp., based in
Yonkers, New York, is a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving
patients' lives by researching, developing and bringing to market new and
effective therapies for viral and other diseases.
Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, including
application to the FDA, product commercialization and other risks described
from time to time in the SEC reports filed by the Company. AVR118 (Product R)
is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any comparable
agencies of any other countries. There is no assurance that the Company will
be able to secure the financing necessary to continue and/or complete the
clinical trials of AVR118 or satisfy certain other conditions relating to
clinical trials including obtaining adequate insurance on terms acceptable to
the Company or that if completed, clinical trials performed outside the United
States will assist the Company in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approval.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information
contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future
events or circumstances or otherwise.
Contact: Ronnie Welch or Kelly Cinelli
CWR & Partners
508/222-4802
SOURCE Advanced Viral Research Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.adviral.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/903002.html
CONTACT:
Ronnie Welch or Kelly Cinelli, both of CWR &
Partners, +1-508-222-4802, for Advanced Viral Research Corp.
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