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To: Bernard Ng who wrote (93019)	10/5/2001 11:41:41 AM
From: Jim Bishop	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 150070

max 2.09 earlier Matritech Unveils New Advance in Detecting Prostate Cancer; Results Presented at ISOBM Report Marker to be More Sensitive than PSA Test NEWTON, Mass., Oct 5, 2001 (BW HealthWire) -- Matritech, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMPS) presented data this week at the 29th meeting of the International Society for Oncodevelopmental Biology and Medicine (ISOBM) that a prostate cancer marker identified by Matritech's scientists detected prostate cancer with greater sensitivity than the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. In addition, Matritech reported that a MALDI mass spectrometer, a type of instrument used routinely in most clinical laboratories, can be used to detect this marker. Matritech's senior protein chemist, John J. Hlavaty, Ph.D., presented data on serum samples that were analyzed using Matritech's proprietary sample processing and mass spectrometry discovery method. The study analyzed blood from 52 men who previously had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and compared the results to the blood of 30 healthy men. Each blood specimen was obtained from the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The marker was found to be 96 percent accurate in identifying the men diagnosed with prostate cancer. The protein marker identified 10 men with biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer that were missed by the PSA test. PSA is a blood marker routinely used for screening men for prostate cancer. PSA is not cancer-specific; it often produces false-positive results. "We believe this prostate cancer marker is an excellent way to detect prostate cancer early," said Ying-Jye Wu, Ph.D., vice president, research and development for Matritech. "Approximately 20 to 30 percent of cases of prostate cancer are missed by the PSA test. A more accurate serum marker would improve detection and permit earlier treatment for prostate cancer." According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 198,100 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and an estimated 31,500 men die from prostate cancer annually. The five-year survival rate approaches 100 percent when the disease is detected early. The most life threatening, late-stage forms of prostate cancer often require surgical removal of the prostate, which can lead to complications such as impotence and incontinence. Technology Platform The discovery process used by Matritech's scientists in finding these prostate cancer proteins is similar to that used in the discovery of the NMP66 protein marker for breast cancer, as well as Matritech's previously reported proteins for colon cancer. The company is developing clinical methods to rapidly test blood specimens for the presence of these proteins for each cancer. The detection of prostate cancer markers in blood was accomplished using a novel mass spectroscopy technique. The company believes that with further clinical development mass spectrometry can form the basis for routine testing. Mass spectroscopy techniques for detecting specific proteins in blood are expected to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the tests in development by Matritech as well as expedite the introduction of these blood-based cancer diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories worldwide. Matritech's nuclear matrix protein (NMP) core technology correlates levels of NMPs in body fluids to the presence of cancer. Multiple published clinical studies have validated the ability of NMPs to detect early-stage cancerous abnormalities. Matritech has a number of NMP-based products in development for the detection of major cancers including bladder, cervical, breast, colon and prostate cancers. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration approved the NMP22 laboratory-based test for use as an aid in identifying bladder cancer in previously undiagnosed individuals who have symptoms or risk factors. It also is sold in China, Europe and Japan where it is approved for bladder cancer screening. About Matritech Matritech, Inc., based in Newton, Mass., is using its NMP technology, discovered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and licensed exclusively to Matritech, to develop an commercialize innovative serum-, cell- and urine-based NMP diagnostics that enable physicians to reliably detect and monitor the presence of bladder, cervical, breast, colon and prostate cancer. Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Any forward looking statements related to the Company's expectations regarding its current and future products are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These include but are not limited to, risks related to unforeseen technical obstacles in completing clinical trials, unforeseen delays in, or denials of, FDA and other regulatory approvals, future product demand and pricing performance of distributors, competitive products and technical developments, health care reform and general business and economic conditions. There can be no assurance that the Company's expectations for its product will be achieved. CONTACT: Media Relations: Stacey Collins Fleishman-Hillard 202-828-5060 or Brooke Tyson FH-GPC 617-646-1023 or Investor Relations: John Doherty CFO and VP Finance, Matritech 617-928-0820 ext. 224 URL: businesswire.com Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. Copyright (C) 2001 Business Wire. All rights reserved. -0- KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY MEDICAL MEDICAL DEVICES PHARMACEUTICAL SOURCE: Matritech * end of story *