Onconase® Mesothelioma Drug Gets Tested In Turkey

The Onconase® (ranpirnase) investigational mesothelioma drug, produced by Alfacell Corporation, will be tested in Turkey in a study that is both notable and pioneering because it will test the ability of the drug to prevent mesothelioma. Full details can be found below in the snippet from yesterday's press release:

"Alfacell Corporation announced today that Dr. Michele Carbone, Chairman of the Company's Thoracic Cancer Advisory Board, will lead a groundbreaking program to evaluate the potential of ONCONASE (ranpirnase) and other medications to prevent mesothelioma. The program will be conducted in Turkey with the full permission and cooperation of Prof. Dr. A. Murat Tuncer, Chairman, Department of Cancer Control, Ministry of Health in Turkey. The Nevsehir region of Turkey, where the high risk of mesothelioma has been well-documented, is the first selected area for the program.

At a recent joint press conference with Professor Tuncer at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Carbone commented on the rationale for including ONCONASE in this program. '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,' stated Dr. Carbone. 'As such, swift identification of at-risk families exposed to asbestos and erionite, which are clearly linked to the onset of mesothelioma, early diagnosis of the disease and treatment with ONCONASE will be among the key cornerstones of this exciting program.'

Under the program, ONCONASE and other drugs will be provided at no cost to patients. Dr. Carbone and his team will then monitor the efficacy of the various agents as preventative treatments. The incidence and prevalence rates of mesothelioma in the selected regions observed during the program are among the other data to be analyzed.

The clinical costs will be paid by the Ministry of Health in Turkey, while the research to identify the gene that causes the mesothelioma epidemic is presently supported by a grant from the American Cancer Society and in the immediate future will be supported by a PO-1 grant awarded by the National Cancer Institute to Dr. Carbone and his research team."

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