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| |  Antisense drug G3139 for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma reduces target protein levels LEXINGTON, MA -- May 5, 2000 -- Genta Incorporated announced publication in a major cancer journal of results using the Company's lead antisense drug in patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study, which was conducted at the Royal Marsden Hospital, showed that outpatient administration of the drug (called G3139) reduced levels of Bcl-2 protein and led to major objective responses. The report was published in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the official journal of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. In this study, 21 patients who had received extensive prior therapy for lymphoma were entered. As a group, they had failed a median number of 4 prior treatment regimens, and four of the patients had also failed autologous stem cell transplants. Biological effects were measured in cancer cells taken directly from the patients. Results showed that G3139 caused a major reduction of the target protein during the first week of treatment. This treatment was associated with major antitumor responses, including one patient who has remained in continuous complete remission for more than three years using G3139 alone, having failed other standard therapy. Dr. Howard Fingert, Genta's Vice President for Clinical and Regulatory Affairs, stated, "These responses are highly encouraging, given that the patients had progressive disease when they entered the study. The study provides major new evidence that G3139 works by an antisense mechanism, and it can be readily administered in the outpatient setting, even in patients with advanced cancer. It is also noteworthy that this study shows that G3139 has anticancer activity in patients when used alone, which complements Genta's considerable body of data that suggest synergy when G3139 is used in addition to standard anticancer drugs." Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, as well as many other forms of human cancers, express high levels of Bcl-2 protein, which can protect cancer cells from being killed by conventional chemotherapy. Antecedent reduction of Bcl-2 protein in cancer cells may markedly improve the effectiveness of conventional drugs. Genta Incorporated is a biopharmaceutical company with a product portfolio focused on anticancer therapy, including its Anticode(TM) (antisense) platform technology, as well as other important anticancer products. The Company's lead compound, G3139, has received "Fast Track" designation from the Food and Drug Administration and has recently entered Phase three trials in patients with advanced melanoma. Genta aims to become a direct marketer of its drugs in the United States. Related Link: Genta Incorporated.
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