CIPH Ciphergen Biosystems (MM)

Promising Results for Detection of Microscopic Tumors Presented at 46th American Society of Hematology Meeting by Children's Hospital Boston An Increase in Angiogenic Regulatory Proteins in Blood Platelets, Potentially Useful for Early Cancer Diagnosis, Can be Detected Using SELDI-TOF-MS FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scientists at the Children's Hospital Boston working in collaboration with scientists from Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CIPH), presented results today at the American Society for Hematology 46th Annual Meeting in San Diego suggesting proteomic analysis of circulating platelets can potentially be useful for early cancer diagnosis. Principal authors of the study, Dr. Giannoula Klement and Dr. Judah Folkman, state in their abstract: "...using SELDI-TOF-mass spectrometry of platelet extracts, we have found that this novel property of platelets detects human cancers of a microscopic size undetectable by any presently available diagnostic method. The platelet angiogenic profile is more inclusive than a single biomarker because it can detect a wide range of tumor types and tumor sizes. Relative changes in the platelet angiogenic profile permit the tracking of a tumor throughout its development, beginning from an early in situ cancer." Platelets from mice bearing microscopic, clinically undetectable tumors of human liposarcoma were compared to tumor-free mice using Ciphergen's SELDI-TOF-MS based ProteinChip(R) Biomarker System and Arrays. The proteomic profiling of platelets at different stages of tumor growth, resulted in the finding of increased amounts of angiogenic regulatory proteins such as VEGF, bFGF, PDGF, PF4, endostatin and tumstatin, in platelets, but not in plasma. The study goes on to confirm that these regulatory proteins can be taken up by platelets in a selective and quantifiable manner even when a source as small as 100 microliter Matrigel pellet is implanted subcutaneously. The researchers were able to demonstrate that this represents a selective sequestration process and not a simple association with the platelet surface. This finding of selective uptake of angiogenic regulators by platelets without a corresponding increase of these proteins in plasma points to the potential applicability of platelet-derived angiogenic biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. "We are delighted to see that our SELDI ProteinChip technology has enabled the discovery and quantifiable assay of biomarkers, which potentially may be used for early diagnosis of cancer allowing for earlier treatment," stated William E. Rich, President and CEO of Ciphergen Biosystems. About Ciphergen Ciphergen develops, manufactures and markets a family of ProteinChip(R) Systems and services for clinical, research and process proteomics applications. ProteinChip Systems and Biomarker Discovery Center(R) collaborative services enable protein discovery, profiling, characterization and assay development to provide researchers with predictive analysis capabilities and a better understanding of biological functions at the protein level. ProteinChip Systems are enabling tools in the emerging field of protein-based biology research, known as proteomics. Proteomics provides a direct approach to understanding the role of proteins in the biology of disease, monitoring disease progression and evaluating the therapeutic effects and side effects of drugs. Ciphergen believes proteomics will be a major focus of biological research by enhancing the understanding of gene function and the molecular basis of disease. Additional information about Ciphergen can be found at http://www.ciphergen.com/. Safe Harbor Statement Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: For purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"), Ciphergen disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the use of ProteinChip technology to perform proteomic analyses of blood platelets that potentially can diagnose cancer at an early stage and track a tumor's development, and future growth in the field of proteomics. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to various factors, including the ProteinChip technology's ability to validate and/or develop these proteomic analyses of blood platelets as diagnostic assays, and the continued emergence of proteomics as a major focus of biological research and drug discovery. Investors should consult Ciphergen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-Q dated November 9, 2004, for further information regarding these and the other risks of the Company's business. NOTE: Ciphergen, ProteinChip and Biomarker Discovery Center are registered trademarks of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. DATASOURCE: Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc. CONTACT: investor relations, Sue Carruthers of Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc., +1-510-505-2297 Web site: http://www.ciphergen.com/

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