MultiCell Technologies Updates Preclinical Results for MCT-465 and MCT-485 in Primary Liver Cancer in vitro Models

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MultiCell Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MCET) is pleased to announce the updated preclinical research results for MCT-465 and MCT-485.  MCT-485 showed in vitro dose-effect cytotoxicity on several human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.  MCT-485 induced robust TNFalpha and some IL-6 expression.  In contrast, MCT-465 showed no cytotoxicity or anti-proliferative effect.  The research results support further mechanistic and in vivo studies exploring the safety, effectiveness and utility of MCT-465 and MCT-485 as novel therapeutic agents as a treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer death.  Current pharmacological approaches for the treatment of human HCC are very limited in their efficacy.  A potential role for noncoding double stranded RNAs such as MCT-465 and MCT-485 in the control of tumors has recently emerged in a variety of models with recognition of their ability to stimulate an immune response or directly affect cell death.

According to the National Cancer Institute, annually in the United States there are approximately 21,400 new cases of primary liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, and approximately 18,400 of those cases resulted in death.  Primary liver cancer, resulting from Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection, is the most common cancer in some parts of the world with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed each year.  Primary liver cancer is rarely discovered early, and often does not respond to current treatment.

About MCT-465 and MCT-485

MCT-465 and MCT-485 are the first of a family of prospective cancer therapeutics based on the use of our patented TLR3 signaling technology.  MCT-465 and MCT-485 are in preclinical development, and are being investigated as prospective treatments for primary liver cancer and triple negative breast cancer.  MultiCell owns rights to several issued U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications related to MCT-465 and MCT-485.

MCT-465 is a high molecular weight synthetic dsRNA (polyA:polyU, of 70bps) with immune enhancing properties.  The mechanism of action of MCT-465 is pleiotropic and mediated by RNA sensors – such as TLR3, 7/8, MDA-5 and RIG-I - expressed by antigen presenting cells and select cases, by tumor cells:

• Induction of pro-inflammatory, immune enhancing cytokines locally and systemically;
• Anti-angiogenic effects through a local exposure to IL-12 / IFNgamma;
• In select cases, direct pro-apoptotic anti-tumoral effect.

MCT-485 is a low molecular weight synthetic dsRNA (polyA:polyU of 5bps) with direct tumor cytolytic properties.  The mechanism of action of MCT-485 is pleiotropic yet distinct from that of MCT-465:

• Induction of tumor cell death upon direct exposure, while normal cells are minimally affected.
• Production of TNFalpha by cancer cells resulting in amplified tumor cell death and a localized immune reaction that has the potential to generalize and curb progression of metastatic cancer.

About MultiCell Technologies, Inc.

MultiCell Technologies, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and discovery tools that address unmet medical needs for the treatment of neurological disorders, hepatic disease and cancer. For more information about MultiCell Technologies, please visit http://www.multicelltech.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about MultiCell's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act").  These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "could", and "would". MultiCell bases these forward- looking statements on current expectations about future events.  They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement.  Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections in the forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, the risk that we might not achieve our anticipated clinical development milestones, receive regulatory approval, or successfully commercialize our products as expected, the market for our products will not grow as expected, and the risk that our products will not achieve expectations.  For additional information about risks and uncertainties MultiCell faces, see documents that MultiCell files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including MultiCell's report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, and all of MultiCell's quarterly and other periodic SEC filings.  MultiCell claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements under the Act and assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events.

SOURCE MultiCell Technologies, Inc.