RICHMOND, British Columbia, Sept. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- BioCurex Inc. (Pink Sheets:BOCX) is pleased to report positive detection results for an additional type of cancer using its RECAF(tm) based blood test.
Seventy three samples from patients with colon cancer were compared to 352 normal samples. The RECAF based blood test detected 74% at 95% specificity and more importantly, the sensitivity remained over 71% when the specificity was increased to 100%(a).
The sensitivity of the RECAF(tm) assay is comparable to that of CEA, which is the current marker used for colon cancer diagnostic and follow-up, but the specificity of CEA is only 70-80%, which means that 20-30% of cancer free patients appear as false positives. This large number of false positives precludes the use of CEA for general screening. On the other hand, RECAF shows high sensitivity and high specificity, which makes it ideal for screening. This is important medically as well as commercially, since it can then be used on a much larger population than a marker used only for diagnosis and follow-up. The current market size for CEA and related markers is estimated to be approximately $300 million per year.
The results obtained on colon cancer are consistent with the results obtained in stomach, breast, lung and ovarian cancers using BioCurex's patented RECAF technology. The ability to detect many different types of cancer with a single blood test is important economically and scientifically. The potential for widespread use of RECAF for cancer detection is enhanced and the potential for therapeutic use is increased. The finding of RECAF in many tissue types is somewhat unique and potentially points to a basic feature of cancer growth.
Dr. Moro stated: "These results are not unexpected in view of the excellent figures we have obtained for other types of cancer. Colorectal cancer accounts for 12% of all cancers and despite the fact that it is the second cause of death by cancer (after lung cancer), it is highly curable if caught on time. Our next step is to determine how early we can detect this type of malignancy. An encouraging idea emerging from our study suggests that combining RECAF(tm) with CEA could greatly increase the overall sensitivity and specificity and that could translate into a much earlier diagnosis than what we have now. We are carrying on with our studies to further define the application."
Dr. Moro added that the Company continues working towards reestablishing trading of its securities in the OTCBB.
About colon cancer:
Colorectal Cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer among men and women, second only to lung cancer. 130,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with colorectal cancer and 56,000 will die from the disease. Worldwide the numbers for 2000 were 944,717 new cases and 510,021 deaths. If detected early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable and need not become deadly.
About BioCurex:
BioCurex, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing products based on patented/proprietary technology in the areas of cancer diagnosis. 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. To find out more about BioCurex (Pink Sheets:BOCX), visit our website at www.biocurex.com.
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.
(a) Sensitivity is the number of true cancers picked by the test. Specificity is the percentage of normal samples that are negative with the test. A 95% specificity value is generally accepted as high for a cancer marker. The sensitivity and specificity of any test are a function of the cutoff value selected to discriminate normal from abnormal. Increasing that threshold leaves more normal samples below and therefore it improves the specificity, at the expense of the sensitivity.