Lorus Therapeutics Inc. to present results of novel anticancer small
molecule studies

-Lead compound suppressed the growth of most cancer cell types-

TSX: LOR
AMEX: LRP

TORONTO, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
("Lorus"), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research,
development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and
technologies
for the management of cancer, will introduce a novel series of
anticancer
small molecules at the IBC's 9th Annual World Congress Drug Discovery
Technology(R) 2004 to be held in Boston, from August 8-13, 2004. An
abstract
entitled "Anti-proliferative activity of novel aryl-imidazoles and
their
possible mechanism of action" has been accepted for presentation and
will be
published in the meeting proceedings.
This novel series of compounds has demonstrated potent anti-
proliferative
activity against a variety of human cancer cell types. Promising
cancer cell
growth inhibition was demonstrated in the National Cancer Institute's
(NCI)
60-cell line tumor panel. Moreover, in animal models of human colon
cancer and
liver cancer, treatment with several leading compounds resulted in
significant
inhibition of tumor growth.
Results of studies conducted to investigate the mechanism of
action of
this series of compounds will be presented at the meeting,
specifically
focusing on a lead compound termed ML-220. ML-220 suppressed the
growth of
most cancer cell types. Studies using HT-29 colon cancer cells
demonstrated
the alteration of the cell cycle by ML-220 through induction of
partially
reversible arrest in the G0/G1 phase.
The subcellular localization of ML-220 in cancer cells was
investigated
by fluorescent microscopy and demonstrated that ML-220 localizes in
the
perinuclear area closely associated with the endoplasmic reticulum
(ER),
subcellular network of membranes responsible for manufacture and
transfer of
membranes and secretory proteins. In addition, ML-220 was found to be
an
inhibitor of kinases, enzymes involved in many cell-signaling
pathways.
Altered expression of these enzymes is often associated with abnormal
cell
growth and development of tumors.
Consequently, targeting cancer-related kinase activity presents
novel
opportunities for the development of new cancer therapies designed to
be less
toxic than conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. The subcellular
distribution
and morphological changes induced by these compounds in cancer cells,
as well
as their selective pattern of kinase inhibition suggest that they
target novel
mechanisms of signal transduction.
ML-220 and related derivatives have potential as therapeutic
agents for
the treatment of human cancer. Further studies are currently in
progress to
identify the precise mechanisms.
"In a continued effort to expand its platform technologies, Lorus
initiated a small-molecule discovery program based on a novel chemical
scaffold. It is encouraging to see that a number of molecules from
this
project demonstrate activity as anticancer agents, both in cell
culture
studies and in animal models of human cancer," said Dr. Jim Wright,
chief
executive officer of Lorus.

About Lorus
Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and
development of cancer therapies. Lorus' goal is to capitalize on its
research,
preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by developing new drug
candidates that can be used, either alone, or in combination, to
successfully
manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts and an acquisition
and
in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of promising
anticancer
drugs. Late-stage clinical development and marketing may be done in
cooperation with strategic pharmaceutical partners. Lorus currently
has three
products in human clinical trials with a pipeline of seven clinical
trials in
phase II clinical trial programs and one phase III registration
clinical
trial. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is a public company listed on the
Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the American Stock Exchange
under the
symbol LRP. Virulizin(R) is a registered trademark of Lorus
Therapeutics Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this press release contains
forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current
expectation
and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated. These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not
limited to, changing market conditions, the Company's ability to
obtain patent
protection and protect its intellectual property rights,
commercialization
limitations imposed by intellectual property rights owned or
controlled by
third parties, intellectual property liability rights and liability
claims
asserted against the Company, the successful and timely completion of
clinical
studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact of
competitive
products and pricing, new product development, uncertainties related
to the
regulatory approval process, product development delays, the
Company's ability
to attract and retain business partners and key personnel, future
levels of
government funding, the Company's ability to obtain the capital
required for
research, operations and marketing and other risks detailed from time-
to-time
in the Company's ongoing quarterly filings, annual information form,
annual
reports and 40 -F filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly
update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information,
future events or otherwise.
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s press releases are available through the
Company's Internet site: http://www.lorusthera.com.



SOURCE Lorus Therapeutics Inc.