Abstract on Phase I/II DIGNITY trial of ThermoDox in RCW Breast Cancer accepted at ASTRO 2010

Celsion Corporation (Nasdaq: CLSN) announced today that an abstract on the Phase I/II DIGNITY trial of ThermoDox® in Recurrent Chest Wall (RCW) Breast Cancer has been accepted for a poster session at the 52nd American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting.  The abstract will provide updated clinical results, as well as the rationale and design of the DIGNITY study, which is evaluating ThermoDox in combination with microwave hyperthermia in women with RCW Breast Cancer.  The ASTRO Annual Meeting will be held from October 31 to November 4, 2010 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

The abstract, titled "Initial Results of a Phase I/II Study Evaluating the Maximum Tolerated Dose, Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Hyperthermia and Lyso-Thermosensitive Liposomal (LTSL) Doxorubicin in Patients with Breast Cancer Recurrence at the Chest Wall (RCW)," will be presented by Brigid O'Connor, M.D., Ph.D., lead clinical investigator from the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI.  Dr. O'Connor will be available to address questions from conference attendees.

"We are delighted to present updated clinical data for the DIGNITY study at this prominent conference as the radiation oncology community will be a key partner in treating the RCW breast cancer population," said Michael H. Tardugno, Celsion's President and Chief Executive Officer. "These patients have limited treatment options. Addressing this unmet medical need is a very high priority for our company, as well as our investigators."  

Principal investigator Dr. O'Connor commented, "Although treatment using heat sensitive liposomal doxorubicin with microwave hyperthermia (heat) is investigational at this time, we are encouraged that this approach may provide a promising outcome for breast cancer patients with painful loco-regional recurrence on the chest wall.  Rapid evaluation of ThermoDox is warranted as we search for ways to provide patients with better treatment options for this devastating disease."  

Dr. Nicholas Borys, Chief Medical Officer at Celsion Corporation commented, "We hope that by providing these updated clinical results, perhaps more leaders in the radiation oncology community will consider the DIGNITY Study for their patient's with recurrent chest wall cancer.  By demonstrating this proof of concept in the breast cancer population, we believe that ThermoDox and hyperthermia may be able to address additional superficial cancers such as melanoma and sarcomas."