Lorus Therapeutics Presents New Findings for First-in-class Anticancer Drug Candidate LOR-253

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Apr 20 (MARKET WIRE) --
Lorus Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: LOR) ("Lorus"), a biopharmaceutical company
specializing in the research and development of pharmaceutical products
and technologies for the management of cancer, today announced the
presentation of preclinical data for its lead small molecule anticancer
drug candidate LOR-253 at the Annual Meeting of the AACR in Denver, CO,
April 18-22, 2009.

The presentation entitled "Mechanistic studies of a novel small molecule
anticancer drug, LOR-253, on cell cycle arrest and angiogenesis" was
presented on April 19, 2009. The abstract for the presentation (Abstract
Number: 1822) is available online on the AACR website
(http://www.aacr.org).

In the presentation, Lorus provided new data from the preclinical
evaluation of LOR-253 (formerly known as LT-253), a novel first-in-class
inhibitor of the target Metal Responsive Transcription Factor-1 (MTF-1).

The studies presented further explore the detailed mechanism of action of
LOR-253. The key findings include MTF-1 dependent induction of a novel
tumor suppressor, namely Krupple Like Factor-4 (KLF-4), leading to
activation of several inhibitors of tumor growth as well as repression of
several tumor promoters. These alterations were demonstrated specifically
in cancer cells, but not in normal cells, which supports a strong
LOR-253-mediated antitumor activity. These observations occurred at safe
doses in several animal studies.

Lorus also reported for the first time that LOR-253 inhibits
angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels that promotes
tumor growth. In animal studies, non-small cell lung tumors isolated from
LOR-253 treated mice showed reduced blood vessel density, indicating
inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. The tumors also showed reduced
expression of Hypoxia Induced Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) a known
angiogenesis stimulator, through inhibition of MTF-1.

LOR-253 is currently in late stage preclinical development. An
Investigational New Drug (IND) application for LOR-253 is being finalized
and is to be filed with the U.S. FDA in Q2 2009 for a Phase I dose
escalation trial in selected solid tumors.

"These new results provide additional proof of anticancer mechanisms for
LOR-253, and demonstrates the value of this novel compound to our
pipeline", said Dr. Aiping Young, Lorus' President and CEO. "We are
especially pleased to report that LOR-253 inhibits angiogenesis, which is
a well validated mechanism for progression of cancer and other diseases".

About LOR-253

LOR-253 is a small molecule compound that has shown selective and potent
antitumor activity in a variety of human cancers, including colon cancer
and non-small cell lung cancer, and has an excellent therapeutic window
due to its low toxicity. LOR-253 is a first-in-class inhibitor of the
novel cancer target Metal-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (MTF-1). The
mode of action of LOR-253 involves the downregulation of cyclin D1, an
important regulator of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, and
decreased expression of genes involved in tumor hypoxia (low oxygen
content) and angiogenesis. Increased angiogenesis and alterations in the
cyclin D1 regulatory pathway and have been linked to the development of
cancer.

About Lorus

Lorus is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and
development of novel therapeutics in cancer. 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 with other drugs, 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. Lorus Therapeutics
Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include,
but are not limited to, statements relating to: our research program
plans, our plans to conduct clinical trials, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies and the regulatory approval process, our
ability to fund future research, our plans to obtain partners to assist
in the further development of our product candidates, the establishment
of corporate alliances, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions and other statements including words such as "continue",
"believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "will", "should", "may", and other
similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current views with
respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and
are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant
business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and
contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance
or achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements, including, among others: our ability to
continue as a going concern, our ability to repay or refinance the
convertible debentures by October 2009; our ability to obtain the capital
required for research and operations, the inherent risks in early stage
drug development including demonstrating efficacy, development time/cost
and the regulatory approval process; the progress of our clinical trials;
our ability to find and enter into agreements with potential partners;
our ability to attract and retain key personnel; changing market
conditions; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in our ongoing
quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual
filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
the assumptions set out in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our
Annual Information Form underlying those forward-looking statements prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described
herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
press release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to
update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. We
cannot assure you that such statements will prove to be accurate as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned that
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on
forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are available through the
Company's website at www.lorusthera.com. For Lorus' regulatory filings on
SEDAR, please go to www.Sedar.com. For SEDAR filings prior to July 10,
2007 you will find these under the company profile for Global Summit Real
Estate Inc. (Old Lorus).

Contacts:
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
Dr. Saeid Babaei
416-798-1200 ext. 490
ir@lorusthera.com

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