YONKERS, N.Y., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advanced Viral Research Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: ADVR - News) announced today that the company presented interim results of its Phase 1/2 clinical program with its flagship product, AVR118, at The American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) 40th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

The presentation "Anti-Cachectic Effects of a Novel Peptide Nucleic Acid Complex: Preliminary Results of a Phase1/2 Clinical Trial," given by James T. D'Olimpio M.D, showed the results of Phase 1/2 clinical trials conducted in Israel. A total of 25 cachectic patients (patients with cancer cachexia or AIDS wasting) were enrolled in the trials. Ten patients with advanced AIDS and two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer received AVR118 subcutaneously at a dose of 0.4 ml/day for 28 days (6 days/week). Eight AIDS patients received a dose of 2.0 ml/day and five patients received 4.0 ml/day at the same schedule.

All patients were followed for 28 days after treatment was completed. Total weight, body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, strength, calf and arm circumference, and skin fold were measured for all AIDS patients. Spontaneous patient comments regarding quality of life (QOL) parameters, including improvement in mood, appetite, alertness, activities of daily living (ADLs), malaise, myalgia and power/energy were recorded. Adverse events were monitored.

All dose groups showed an increase in weight, strength and fat percentage, with more significant improvements in the two higher dose levels. All patients with anorexia at entry became anorexia-free after three weeks of therapy. Spontaneous patient comments reflect widespread, dose-related improvements in Quality of Life (QOL). AVR118 continues to show a favorable safety profile.

"This trial was designed as a dose-escalation study and we are pleasantly surprised to see such strong data given the relatively short treatment period," said Dr. Elma Hawkins, President and CEO of Advanced Viral Research Corp. "We are very encouraged by the results, most importantly with the resolution of anorexia in all study participants."

     Results Reported - AIDS:

     0.4 ml dose
     * All patients were anorexia-free after three weeks of treatment. (One
       patient did not have anorexia at baseline).
     * Half of the patients reported increased daily activity.

     2 ml dose
     * All patients were anorexia-free after three weeks of treatment.
     * At the end of four weeks of treatment the average weight of patients
       increased by over a pound.
     * All patients had an increase of fat percentage after treatment and this
       was sustained in the majority of patients.
     * Approximately half of the patients reported an improvement in their
       mood and increased daily activities.

     4 ml dose
     * All patients were anorexia free after three weeks of treatment. It is
       important to note that 50 percent of patients had Grade Two anorexia at
       baseline.
     * Patients in this cohort increased their average weight by 2.2 pounds
       over four weeks of treatment.  This effect continued through the
       following four weeks at which point the average weight had increased by
       2.6 pounds over baseline.
     * All patients showed an increase in fat percentage which was sustained
       after treatment discontinuation in all patients.
     * 100 percent of patients reported an increase in daily activity.
     * 80 percent of patients reported decreased fatigue.

     Results Reported - Pancreatic Cancer:
     * Both patients had improved weight (4% increase)
     * Improved fat percentage (20% increase)
     * Improved strength (5 % increase)

ADVR's AVR118 represents a biopolymer that possesses novel immunomodulator activity. This peptide-nucleic acid complex, which to date has demonstrated a very favorable safety profile, appears to stimulate the proinflammatory responses required to combat viral infections such as AIDS and human papillomavirus and to dampen aberrant autoimmune-type inflammatory responses, such as occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. AVR118 is in clinical trials in Israel for the treatment of cachexia (body wasting) in patients with AIDS.

For further information regarding Advanced Viral Research Corp., please visit our website at http://www.adviral.com. Advanced Viral Research Corp., based in Yonkers, New York, is a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to improving patients' lives by researching, developing and bringing to market new and effective therapies for viral and other diseases.

Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks associated with clinical development, regulatory approvals, including application to the FDA, product commercialization and other risks described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by the Company. AVR118 (Product R) is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any comparable agencies of any other countries. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the financing necessary to continue and/or complete the clinical trials of AVR118 or satisfy certain other conditions relating to clinical trials including obtaining adequate insurance on terms acceptable to the Company or that if completed, clinical trials performed outside the United States will assist the Company in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approval. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

     Contact:    Ronnie Welch or
                 Kelly Cinelli
                 CWR & Partners
                 508/222-4802