SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: ANX) today announced data demonstrating that, in mice with metastatic colorectal cancer, treatment with CoFactor(R) in combination with Uftoral(R) (UFT) resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth and longer median survival time than treatment with UFT-plus-leucovorin or UFT alone. The data were presented in Beijing at a joint meeting of the 7th International Conference of Asian Clinical Oncology Society (ACOS) & the 9th Annual Meeting of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) on Saturday, September 16, 2006. CoFactor is a folate-based drug designed to improve the efficacy and safety of the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). UFT, an oral anticancer drug approved for use in Asia and Europe, delivers a combination of tegafur, a prodrug of 5-FU, and uracil.

In a xenograft model for a human colorectal tumor (HT-29) treatment with CoFactor-plus-UFT resulted in the greatest inhibition of tumor growth among the three treatment groups, as well as the control group. CoFactor-plus-UFT tumor volume of 272 +/- 24mm3, mean tumor size +/- SEM, was statistically significantly less than tumor volume of 376 +/- 32mm3 in the control group. In contrast, only minor tumor reduction was observed in the UFT-plus-leucovorin group (361 +/- 36mm3) and the UFT-alone group (364 +/- 26mm3). This enhanced anti-tumor activity of CoFactor-plus-UFT was associated with statistically significant longer median survival time (60 days) than the control group (45 days). Median survival time of the UFT-plus-leucovorin group (54 days) and UFT alone group (54 days) compared with that with the control group was not statistically significant. In addition, treatment with CoFactor-plus-UFT was well tolerated. Animals were treated with identical doses of CoFactor or leucovorin (0.6 mg/day) prior to UFT dosing (20 mg/kg/day) for 14 consecutive days.

"These CoFactor/UFT results are further evidence of CoFactor's improved ability over leucovorin to potentiate the efficacy of fluoropyrimidines," said Evan M. Levine, the Company's chief executive officer. "Results from numerous preclinical studies with and without the addition of oxaliplatin, anti-VEGF or gemcitabine suggest that CoFactor is more effective than leucovorin at modulating 5-FU, thereby increasing inhibition of tumor growth in colorectal, gastric and pancreatic tumor models while demonstrating reduced toxicity."

The abstract entitled "5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate (CoFactor) Enhances UFT Antitumor Activity Against Human Colorectal HT-29 Tumor Xenografts in Nude Mice" was presented by Mark J. Cantwell, Ph.D., vice president of research and development for ADVENTRX. The poster presentation will be available for download on the Company's Web site at http://www.adventrx.com/library/publications.htm.

About CoFactor

CoFactor (ANX-510) is a folate-based biomodulator drug designed to enhance the activity and reduce associated toxicity of the widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). CoFactor creates more stable binding of the active form of 5-FU to the target enzyme, thymidylate synthase (TS), improving 5-FU performance. The Company reported Phase II clinical trial results from an independent radiological assessment that found an objective response rate of 35% in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with CoFactor and 5-FU. The Company also reported median time to tumor progression (TTP) of 162 days, preliminary median overall survival of 459 days with no study drug-related grade 3 or grade 4 gastrointestinal or hematological toxicity. CoFactor is being tested in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in a Phase IIb clinical trial in Europe and India and a Phase III pivotal clinical trial in the U.S.

About ADVENTRX

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical research and development company focused on introducing treatments for cancer and infectious disease that surpass the performance and safety of existing drugs, by addressing significant problems such as drug metabolism, toxicity, bioavailability and resistance. More information can be found on the Company's Web site at www.adventrx.com.

Forward Looking Statement

ADVENTRX cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that, if they do not materialize or prove to be accurate, could cause ADVENTRX's results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's current expectations and beliefs and should not be regarded as a statement or representation by ADVENTRX that any of its plans will be achieved. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the risk that preclinical results are not indicative of the success of subsequent clinical trials; the validity of research results; the risk that products will not perform as preclinical data suggests or as otherwise anticipated; the risk that competitors develop superior products; the potential for regulatory authorities to require additional preclinical work or other clinical requirements to support regulatory filings; unexpected side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of CoFactor; the uncertain process of seeking regulatory approval for ADVENTRX's products; and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in ADVENTRX's press releases and periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ADVENTRX's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at http://www.sec.gov.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date when made. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ADVENTRX assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, including as set forth in this press release, to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made.

SOURCE ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
09/18/2006
CONTACT: Andrea Lynn of ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-858-552-0866