The results of Alfacell Corporation's Phase IIIb clinical trial for the mesothelioma treatment Onconase has been released this morning.

Onconase is a drug therapy using enzymes from frogs to interact with human RNA to treat cancer. The press release stated that the treatment did not significantly help patients whose mesothelioma could not be surgically removed, but it did help patients for whom chemotherapy did not work. Now, Alfacell is applying Onconase for FDA approval in order to help mesothelioma patients who are not compatible with chemotherapy. According to the press release, there is currently an "unmet medical need" among these patients.

Onconase has been granted fast track status and orphan-drug designation for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma by the FDA. Additionally, it is in initial stages of marketing in the European Union. Alfacell believes it will file the New Drug Application with the FDA by the end of this calendar year.

"I am pleased that we have reached this important milestone for both Alfacell and ONCONASE," said Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell's chief executive officer. "We are deeply appreciative of the cancer patients and clinical investigators who participated in this important trial."

To listen to a webcast regarding the press release, click here. The full press release can be found at this link.