RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Biocurex Inc. (OTCBB:BOCX) is developing basic techniques using its patented technology that could be applied effectively to assist the diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as other cancers. Further, its core technology could also find use in the treatment of breast cancers as well.
Breast and lung cancers are the most common form of cancer in women in the United States and worldwide. It is estimated that breast cancer will be newly diagnosed every three minutes, and a woman will die from breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States. One out of nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
To date, an invasive biopsy is the only way to determine if a potential trouble spot is cancerous or benign. A non-invasive blood test would be the first, preferred diagnostic tool to predict whether a breast tumor is cancerous. Also, the test could be used as a measuring tool to monitor the success of chemotherapy, radiation and other drug treatments for aggressive cancers. It would then be used with the other tools that physicians use to determine how aggressively to treat breast cancer patients. These include the staging system that relies on tumor size and presence of cancer cells in nearby lymph nodes, and tests for estrogen receptors that determine whether a cancer might be susceptible to certain drugs. But all these tests, like other protein biomarkers that have been considered for breast cancer, don't consistently give a precise prognosis. However, BioCurex's RECAF technology can specifically find a cancer marker on breast cancer cells. The technology can then be used to stain tissue samples in conventional slides examined under the microscope; and also can be used in a simplified highly sensitive blood tests to 'detect' the presence of cancer molecules which have come from the breast cancer itself. The test targets the receptor (RECAF), which is over-expressed in a variety of cancers including breast, lung, stomach, colorectal and others. Further, using antibodies, RECAF may be targeted to kill cancer cells.
The benefits of early detection in the fight against breast cancer have been well documented. Studies have shown that breast cancers are missed on a conventional mammogram and the RECAF technology could be combined with modern imaging technology such as provided by GE Medical Systems to provide earlier and more reliable detection - a 'modified mammography'.
The various tests that BioCurex Inc is developing should help ensure that physicians and patients have the most accurate information when deciding on the best course of treatment for this life-threatening disease. We are excited to be taking these steps toward providing healthcare professionals and patients with the advanced technology required in the fight against breast cancer.
About BioCurex:
BioCurex, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing products based on patented/proprietary technology in the areas of cancer diagnosis, tumor imaging ad therapeutics. The technology identifies a cancer marker known as RECAF(tm), which is found on malignant cells from a variety of cancer types but is absent in most normal or benign cells. The Histo-RECAF(tm) kits provide proof of concept for the RECAF technology. Detailed information about BioCurex may be obtained from its website.
Note:
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.