WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- AltaRex Corp.
(TSE: AXO, OTC: ALRXF) presents today additional preclinical data for its lead
antibody, OvaRex(TM) for ovarian cancer. This preclinical data, combined with
experience gained in the clinic to date, demonstrate a consistent mechanism
supporting the correlation between OvaRex(TM) MAb induced immune response and
clinical benefit.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000831/ALTREXLOGO )
The Company is presenting at Cancer Vaccine 2000 in New York City results
from preclinical studies of both its OvaRex(TM) (ovarian cancer) and
ProstaRex(TM) (prostate cancer) antibodies. In the Company's preclinical
dendritic cell model, immune complexes appear to modify antigen presentation
for priming of the cellular responses necessary to effect tumor killing.
Antigen or antibody alone appear not to induce cellular immunity. Further,
human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) appears to augment this antigen presentation
process, a premise that contradicts the traditional view that the induction of
HAMA would block the clinical effect.
The Company's novel immunological work has resulted in a unique way to use
low dose foreign antibodies that complex with antigen directly in the
bloodstream. Uptake of this complex by antigen presenting cells can be
enhanced by the presence of HAMA. It is these findings that form the basis of
a number of pending patent applications by the Company.
The Company has consistently seen in OvaRex(TM) clinical results to date a
correlation between HAMA induction and an impact on clinical effect. In line
with these findings, the Company has recently begun enrollment, as planned, in
a new open randomized trial in the "watchful waiting" indication of ovarian
cancer that is expected to demonstrate that the clinical benefit seen to date
derives from a specific OvaRex (TM)-directed immune response. This trial will
be supportive of the ongoing lead 345 patient double-blind placebo-controlled
trial in "watchful waiting" that has already evidenced, in an interim
analysis, a benign safety profile and a correlation of HAMA induction with
clinical effect.
This HAMA correlation has also been observed and reported in the Company's
phase II trials of OvaRex(TM) MAb in recurrent ovarian cancer, where it has
traditionally been believed that patients whose immune systems have already
been compromised from chemotherapy would be unable to mount a meaningful
immune response of any kind.
In addition to this scientific meeting and the recent Stephens Inc.
Anti-Cancer Conference in San Francisco (September 19), the Company is
presenting at several other upcoming investor conferences. These conferences
include BioContact Quebec (October 5), Mass Opportunities in Boston (October
19), the EC-21 Conference in London (October 19), and CIBC World Markets
Health Care Conference in New York (October 23).
Additional information about AltaRex research and development, news and
events can be found on its web site at http://www.altarex.com. Clinical information
can also be found on the CenterWatch web site at http://www.centerwarch.com.
Additional information about ovarian cancer can be found at
http://www.ovariancanada.org and at http://www.ovarian.org.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from
the statements made. For this purpose, any statements that are contained
herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be
forward-looking statements. Without limiting the forgoing, the words
"believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "expects" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the need for capital,
changing market conditions, completion of clinical trials, patient enrollment
rates, uncertainty of preclinical, retrospective and early clinical trial
results, such as the results described above which may not be indicative of
results that will be obtained in ongoing or future clinical trials, the
establishment of manufacturing processes and new corporate alliances, the
timely development, regulatory approval and market acceptance of the Company's
products, uncertainty as to whether patents will issue from pending patent
applications and, if issued, as to whether such patents will be sufficiently
broad to protect the Company's technology, and other risks detailed from
time-to-time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission and Canadian securities authorities.
NEITHER THE ONTARIO SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE
HAVE APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
SOURCE AltaRex Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.altarex.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000831/ALTREXLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/128163.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 128163
CONTACT:
Chris Nicodemus, SVP Clinical Research and
Development, cnicodemus@altarex.com, or Sondra Henrichon,
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications,
shenrichon@altarex.com, of AltaRex Corp., 781-672-0138
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