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Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Early Detection of Breast Cancer Highlight Latest Patent Filing By Power3 Medical Products, Inc.

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 12:00 CST

Power3 Medical Products Inc. ((OTC: PWRM, www.Power3Medical.com) today announced the filing of an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for discoveries and a process used for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

The patent filing -- the 21st by Power3 -- is for "Twelve (12) Protein Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Early Detection of Breast Cancer," which relates to biomarkers in blood serum that can be used in diagnosis, determination of disease severity, and monitoring of therapeutic response of patients with breast cancer. The invention shows how these 12 protein bio-markers in human blood can be employed to diagnose and differentiate between patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease or abnormalities, and "normal controls."

The patent application is a collaborative effort between the Power3 scientific team and Dr. Alan Hollingsworth, a nationally-known breast cancer surgical oncologist at Mercy Woman's Center in Oklahoma City, and a member of Power3's Scientific Advisory Board.

"This patent application covers an area where there is an urgent need for objective diagnostic tests to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages," said Steven B. Rash, chairman and CEO of Power 3. "As the public is becoming increasingly aware," he said, "by the time a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer by mammography and subsequent biopsy, the patient has had the disease for an average 6-10 years."

Mr. Rash pointed out that while the more sensitive MRI detects more than twice as many breast cancers as mammography, "High cost and limited availability of MRI detection remain important factors," he said, while pointing out that genetic mutational tests (BRCA 1 and 2 genes) can detect genetic disposition of breast cancer risk, but that aggressive screening, usually with breast MRI, is chosen more often than preventive mastectomy by patients who tests BRCA-positive.

Dr. Hollingsworth also cited the importance of improvements in early detection. "While the need for imaging breast tumors is essential to localization and treatment, a sensitive early detection screening test with cost comparable to mammograms is sorely needed to justify the high cost and insurance reimbursement for auxiliary screening," Dr. Hollingsworth said. "The use of the biomarkers discovered by Power3 could allow patients to be routed to ultrasound and/or MRI screening, bridging the gap between MRI and Mammography alone," he said.

"This filing for a patent application continues to build Power3's growing portfolio of intellectual properties," said Mr. Rash. "We continue to discuss the licensing of our technologies to pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic test manufacturers for the development of commercial applications, which will accelerate the introduction of Power3's technology into the marketplace by teaming with strategic partners in the diagnostic and pharmaceutical arena."

About Power3 Medical Products

Power3 Medical Products, Inc. (OTC: PWRM, www.Power3Medical.com), is a leading proteomics company engaged in the commercialization of protein biomarkers, pathways, and mechanisms of diseases, through the development of diagnostic tests and drug targets for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Power3's patent-pending technologies are being used to develop screening and diagnostic tests for the early detection and treatment of disease, and its identified protein biomarkers, drug targets, and diagnostic tests are targeted toward markets with critical unmet needs in areas such as breast cancer and neurodegenerative disease. Power3 operates a state-of-the-art proteomics laboratory in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Source: Business Wire

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