=DJ Matritech Up-3: Pres: Need To Test More Specimens
Matritech has much work to complete before it can submit the
first-of-its-kind breast cancer blood screen to the Food and Drug
Administration, according to Corbet, Matritech's president. However, if
additional supporting data is gathered, Matritech hopes to engage in
clinical trials next year.
"We need to test more specimens and optimize the research procedure."
Corbet said. "There are a couple of ways to do that."
Matritech could reduce the current procedure to a more user-friendly test
so other clinical laboratories could use the screen or Matritech could offer
the test through sophisticated commercial laboratories in a modified form of
the current research, Corbet said. Matritech plans to consider both
strategies.
"Given that breast cancer is arguably the most visible disease in the U.S.,
and given the importance of this data, we are doing our best to expedite"
the process, Corbet said.
According to the American Cancer Society, women must currently rely on
self-examination, clinical examination and mammography for diagnosis of
breast cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women, the
second leading cause of cancer death in all women, and the leading cause of
cancer death in women ages 40 to 55.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 175,000 new cases
of invasive breast cancer in the U.S. this year, and about 43,300 deaths
from the disease.
If it proves reliable, Matritech's screen would be the first blood test for
breast cancer, according to Corbet. And since in its earliest stages breast
cancer produces no otherwise detectable symptoms, it would be an especially
useful weapon against the disease.
(MORE) DOW JONES NEWS 09-10-99
01:41 PM |
