Chemex Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that its drugMasoprocol was able to reverse the effect of multiple drugresistance in vitro, as measured by concentration of thechemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin in breast and lung tumorcell lines.

Masoprocol was apparently able to increase the concentrationof doxorubicin in cultured ovarian and colon tumor cells, aswell.

The drug's active ingredient is an extract from the creosotebush. It is also the main component of Chemex's compoundActinex, which is marketed by Chemex's joint venture partnerBlock Drug for treating premalignant skin lesions.

Chemex (NASDAQ:CHMX) of Fort Lee, N.J., intends toindependently develop Masoprocol for its anti-tumorproperties.

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