ENZO BIOCHEM - re liver cancer suppression
Monday October 30, 7:29 am Eastern Time
Press Release
Enzo Biochem Reports Researchers Using Its Technology Successfully Suppressed Human Liver Cancer in Mice
Sees Significant Application for Treating Humans
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2000--Enzo Biochem, Inc., (NYSE:ENZ - news), reported today that in preclinical animal studies of the Company's proprietary immune regulation product, EHT899, researchers in Israel had achieved complete suppression of HBV-associated human liver cancer and significantly reduced mortality in laboratory mice. Enzo said that the studies may have significant potential application for treatment of liver and other cancers in humans.
The research results were presented in a paper delivered at a plenary session of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting here this week. The study was conducted by researchers at the Liver Unit at the Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel in collaboration with Enzo scientists.
There is currently no effective treatment for HBV-associated liver cancer. In previous studies, the Hadassah-Enzo team had shown that it is possible to augment an anti-HBV immune response by oral administration of EHT899, Enzo's proprietary medicine for HBV that is currently in a Phase II clinical trial. ``The present study has shown that the growth of human liver cancer in mice could be suppressed by oral administration of EHT899,'' said Dean L. Engelhardt, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Enzo. ``This procedure resulted in an enhanced immune response to the human tumor in the mice.''
In these experiments, the researchers injected athymic mice (mice having no immune system) with human hepatoma (liver cancer) cells. The experimental mice were then transplanted with immune cells from donor mice that had been immune regulated by EHT899. The control mice were transplanted with immune cells from donor mice that had not been immune regulated. In the experimental mice that received the immune regulated cells, total suppression of the tumor was observed, along with significantly reduced mortality. In control mice transplanted with non immune regulated cells tumor growth occurred, leading to 100% mortality. ``Induction of oral immune regulation by EHT899 appears to enhance the anti-tumor immunological response, thus suppressing the growth of hepatocellular (liver) carcinoma in mice,'' commented Dr. Engelhardt. ``These findings may have significant application for treatment of liver cancer in humans.''
``Our next step is to consider clinical studies, given the strong results we observed in these animal experiments,'' said Dr. Engelhardt. ``This research demonstrates the effective use of our immune regulation strategy in suppressing HBV-associated liver cancer. This hopeful development requires further exploration.''
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development and manufacture of innovative health care products based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community.
A conference call conducted by Enzo Biochem, Inc. management will take place on Tuesday October 31,2000 at 9 A.M. (ET) over the Internet through Investor Broadcast Networks' Vcall website, located at www.vcall.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered 'forward-looking`` statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. |
