NEW YORK, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Xenomics, Inc. , the source of next-generation medical DNA diagnostic tests, announced a groundbreaking presentation by a clinical group from Germany highlighting the importance of NPM, a genetic marker, at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 48th Annual Meeting, December 9-12, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. Xenomics has developed a proprietary test for the detection of NPM gene mutations, and holds an exclusive license for the use of this NPM marker.
The abstract presented at a prestigious Plenary Session given on Sunday, December 10, 1:45 - 4:00 pm by a spokesperson for the two German clinical groups highlights the significance of diagnostic genotyping of NPM and certain other key gene mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, demonstrating that NPM1 plays an important predictive role in the best course of treatment for these patients. This particular Plenary Session traditionally is a highlight of the annual meeting, and this year only six presentations were chosen by the Program Committee from among the thousands submitted from around the world.
The abstract, #4 "Gene Mutations as Predictive Markers for Postremission Therapy in Younger Adults with Normal Karyotype AML" can be viewed at the ASH website: http://www.hematology.org
"This impressive work by the German group which involves the genotyping of 872 registered AML patients demonstrates that specific gene mutations, notably NPM, emerge as highly significant prognostic factors for response to therapy and overall survival," notes Dr. Gianluigi Longinotti-Buitoni, Executive Chairman of Xenomics. "Xenomics' proprietary diagnostic test detects all known NPM mutations in DNA from bone marrow or blood cells of AML patients, and is presently being prepared for clinical testing."
About NPM
The NPM genetic marker for acute myeloid leukemia was discovered by Drs. Cristina Mecucci and Brunangelo Falini from the Institute of Hematology, University of Perugia, Italy, and was recently licensed to Xenomics.
About Xenomics, Inc.
Xenomics is a molecular diagnostic company that focuses on the development of DNA-based tests using transrenal DNA. Xenomics' patented technology uses safe and simple urine specimens, and is being applied to a broad range of applications including detection and monitoring of infectious diseases, tumor detection and therapeutic monitoring, stem cell transplantation monitoring, and prenatal genetic testing.
Scientists from Xenomics were the first to discover that fragments of DNA from cells throughout the body can cross the kidney barrier and be readily detected in small urine specimens. The company believes that its transrenal DNA technology will open significant new markets in the molecular diagnostics field and provide a new generation of molecular diagnostic tests. Xenomics' issued U.S. patents protect an array of applications for molecular diagnostics and genetic testing.
Xenomics' stock trades under the symbol XNOM.OB and is also listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol XE7.
For additional information, please visit www.xenomics.com .
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are forward looking. Such statements are indicated by words such as "expect," "might," "should," "anticipate" and similar words indicating uncertainty in facts and figures. Although Xenomics believes that the expectations reflected in such forward- looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. As discussed in Xenomics' Form 10-KSB as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2006, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the following factors, among others: uncertainties associated with product development, the risk that Xenomics will not obtain approval to market its products, the risk that Xenomics' technology will not gain market acceptance, the risks associated with dependence upon key personnel, and the need for additional financing.
Contact: Xenomics Investor Relations 212-297-0808 Option 1 www.xenomics.com
Xenomics, Inc.CONTACT: Xenomics Investor Relations, +1-212-297-0808 Option 1
