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To: BRANDYBGOOD who wrote (64808)	10/6/1999 12:07:00 PM
From: kendall harmon	Respond to of 120523

AVII here is the news Scientists Optimize Anti-Cancer Effects of Synthetic Molecules on Chromosome Action PORTLAND, Ore.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 6, 1999--Scientists at AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVII - news; Nasdaq:AVIIW - news) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have discovered more potent oligonucleotide molecules (oligo) for killing Burkitt's lymphoma and a variety of other tumor-derived cell lines. In a paper to be published in the October 10 issue of Experimental Cell Research, AVI's Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Patrick Iversen, Ph.D., and colleagues report on a structure activity study designed to optimize synthetic DNA molecules for their anti-cancer effects. Chromosome ends, or telomeres, are typically regulated by the enzyme telomerase. In normal cell life, telomeres shorten with age. In cancer, increased telomerase activity prevents the shortening and cells can become ''immortal.'' High telomerase activity has been detected in 84 percent of immortal cell lines and a higher percent of cancer biopsy tissue. The study was designed to analyze a number of chemical structural variations on the oligo molecule that interferes with telomerase. The lead structure was first described in 1996. ''We designed this study to optimize the oligo and created several variations which killed or slowed growth in a variety of cancer cell lines,'' Iversen stated. ''We also demonstrated that inhibition of telomerase activity does not always produce cell death.'' These studies were designed to evaluate the length, hydrogen bonding and sequence requirements for telomerase inhibition and correlate these observations with decreased proliferation in cultured tumor cells. The researchers discovered that transient inhibition of telomerase is not cytotoxic to all cancer cells and is not sufficient to explain the mechanism of cytotoxicity of these short oligonucleotides. However, in the process, researchers found more potent oligo molecules for inducing cell death in Burkitt's lymphoma cells and other primary cancer cell lines. Burkitt's lymphoma is a type of cancer from the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma group that affected an estimated 53,600 individuals in 1997. The disease has been diagnosed in around 2 percent of AIDS patients. This study represents another building block in AVI's larger efforts devoted to the development and commercialization of products for the treatment of life-threatening diseases. In these efforts, the company is using two technology platforms: immunotherapy for cancer and gene-targeted drugs. Its lead clinical agent, Avicine(TM), an essentially non-toxic cancer vaccine, will soon enter a Phase III licensing trial in colorectal cancer. ''Safe Harbor'' Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the results of pre-clinical and clinical testing, the effect of regulation by the FDA and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.