BioCurex's RECAF(TM) Blood Test for Cancer Can Prevent Two Thirds of Unnecessary Prostate Biopsies
September 08 2011 - 9:30AM
BioCurex Inc. (OTCBB:BOCX) today announced results indicating that
its RECAF blood test for cancer can prevent 70% of unnecessary
prostate biopsies.
In a study to be presented at the ISOBM (International Society
of Oncology and Biomarkers) annual meeting in October, BioCurex
compared the performance of RECAF and free-PSA to discriminate
prostate cancer from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a common
benign condition that requires no surgical treatment. The RECAF
test outperformed the established free-PSA test by approximately
600% in its ability to prevent unnecessary prostate biopsies.
Men over 50 years of age are screened with PSA (Prostate
Specific Antigen) for prostate cancer. PSA is secreted by the
prostate but it is not specific for cancer and therefore benign
prostate conditions also show elevated PSA. As a result, two thirds
of prostate biopsies are cancer negative and are not necessary.
A prostate biopsy is obtained by inserting 6-12 needles into the
prostate. The most common procedure is carried out from the rectum
following an enema and antibiotic coverage, using ultrasound for
guidance. Discomfort, bleeding and infection are the most common
complications. Thus, it is important to minimize the number of
unnecessary biopsies while still detecting the highest possible
number of cancer cases.
To reduce unwanted biopsies, the "free-PSA" test was developed
and approved by the FDA. PSA circulates "free" as well as attached
to other proteins. In the 1990's, the percentage of free-PSA was
shown to be somehow lower in cancer patients than in patients with
benign conditions. Unfortunately, the number of unnecessary
biopsies prevented by the free-PSA test is only 11-28% as shown in
the approved FDA applications from large diagnostic companies.
The BioCurex study was done using blinded samples from two
different sources and showed that FDA approved free-PSA tests would
have reduced unnecessary biopsies by 11%, whereas the RECAF test,
used on the same samples, would have reduced the number of unwanted
biopsies by approximately 70% while detecting a comparable
percentage of cancers.
The potential commercial impact of these results is very
significant, because this is a very specific application for which
there is a pressing need and which is not currently addressed
in an adequate fashion.
The standard PSA blood test costs between $20 and $60. The
free-PSA blood test costs about $100. Medicare and most health
insurers typically cover PSA tests for men over 50. It is estimated
that in the USA alone - which represents 5% of the worldwide
population - over 1.5 million men are eligible for a free-PSA test
and therefore also for a RECAF test.
Dr. Moro, BioCurex CEO stated: "We already knew that RECAF
outperformed PSA to detect early stages of prostate cancer. These
new results indicate that RECAF can be successfully used together
with PSA to detect prostate cancer while decreasing dramatically
the number of false positives when compared to FDA approved
free-PSA tests. Using this combination, we can get the organ
specificity of PSA (we know the lesion is in the prostate) with the
high specificity of RECAF for cancer. The result can reduce
unnecessary prostate biopsies by 2/3 compared to less than 30% for
free-PSA FDA approved tests. We are very excited because we have
received a very positive response from a number of prospect
licensees and strategic alliance partners to whom we have shown
these results. This is a very substantial market niche because
there are about 50 million standard PSA tests done every year and
while not all of them receive a free PSA test, the cost of the
latter is over $100 a piece."
About BioCurex, Inc.
BioCurex, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing
products based on patented and proprietary technology in the area
of cancer diagnostics. The technology identifies a universal cancer
marker known as RECAF.
RECAF is a molecule that is present on cancer cells but not
detected in significant levels on healthy cells or benign tumor
cells. It is the receptor for alpha-fetoprotein and is
classified as an oncofetal antigen due to its presence on both
fetal and malignant tissues. This characteristic makes RECAF a more
accurate indicator of cancer than most current tumor
markers.
BioCurex is commercializing its technology through licensing
arrangements with companies that develop and market diagnostic
tests for the large automated clinical laboratory setting, through
development and marketing of non-automated clinical laboratory
tests, through development of rapid, point-of-care test formats,
and through marketing of its OncoPet RECAF test for cancer in
companion animals.
BioCurex has signed licensing agreements for its cancer
detection blood tests with Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) and with
Alere (NYSE:ALR), formerly Inverness Medical Innovations.
For further information on these agreements visit:
http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1092562/000100487808000117/sb2amnd4s1april08.txt.
For more information about the Company, please visit
www.BioCurex.com. For more information about OncoPet Diagnostics
Inc., please visit: www.OncoPetDiagnostics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company has not authorized the release of this information
in any form that contravenes the Communication Act and will not be
responsible for unsolicited massive distribution of this material
by e-mail or facsimile by unauthorized parties. Statements in this
press release, which are not historical facts, are "forward-looking
statements'' within the meaning given to that term in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that
such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors
created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's
actual results could differ materially from expected results.
CONTACT: Antonia Haughton
BioCurex, Inc.
(604) 207 9150
http://www.biocurex.com
Investor Relations Contact:
DC Consulting
(407) 792-3333
investorinfo@dcconsultingllc.com