For Immediate Release July 8, 2003

Results of new tests show PET scans help treat cancer more effectively

65 per cent of prescribed treatments for cancer patients changed by PET scan results

Vancouver, B.C. - Clinical trials have shown that positron emission tomography (PET) advanced diagnostic scans - only available for patient use in Canada at Vancouver's PETSCAN Centre - can help determine the most effective course of treatment for many cancer patients.

Performed in close collaboration with the B.C. Cancer Agency and mandated by Health Canada, the tests recognize PET imaging scans as among the most advanced tools for early and accurate detection of certain indications of cancer, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, colon cancer, lymphoma, melanoma and sarcoma.

The trial results show that the information provided by PET scans have a high level of accuracy and can help cancer patients avoid unnecessary surgeries and invasive tests. PET scan results also minimize the need for exploratory surgery by providing specific information on diseased and damaged organs.

Already in use in more than 600 clinics across the U.S., the technology is supported by cancer doctors and scientists throughout B.C.

"Designed to establish the efficacy and safety of PET scans in a cancer diagnosis setting, the clinical trials show the importance of this tool in helping to optimize evaluation in managing patients with cancer," said Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, president of the B.C. Cancer Agency.

Conducted with patients across British Columbia, the tests revealed dramatic evidence in support of a PET diagnostic approach. Among the results, the overall sensitivity for detecting malignant disease was 95 per cent and the overall accuracy of the diagnostic tool was 90 per cent. In 65 per cent of the cases, prescribed treatments for patients were changed as a result of their PET scan. None of the test subjects experienced any side effects during the PET procedure.

While the test results were highly supportive of the general PET approach, some of the results for detecting specific cancers were particularly impressive. PET was 100 per cent accurate in the sensitivity of its diagnosis for head and neck cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and sarcoma. Accuracy was also 100 per cent in the diagnosis of head and neck and sarcoma cancers. In addition, management and therapy decisions were influenced following PET diagnosis in more than 70 per cent of cases involving colon cancer, lung cancer and sarcoma. Overall, management and therapy decisions were influenced by PET diagnosis in more than 65 per cent of all cases.

Dr. Ken Evans, Vancouver's leading thoracic surgeon said, "I referred four of my patients for a PET scan under the clinical trial. All four were scheduled for surgery to remove various forms of cancer. However, once we had assessed the results of the PET scan, we changed our management plans for three patients and even cancelled surgery for one. The results from the PET scan gave me the vital information I needed to provide the most effective treatment for my patients."

Dr. Evans has referred close to 200 patients to the PETSCAN Centre and is reluctant to undertake surgery without the critical information only a PET scan can provide. "Quite simply, it is the best technology for the detection of cancer."

Rather than picturing the body's anatomy or body structure like CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and ultrasounds, PET scans provide information about the body's internal chemistry and cell function. This means that the PET process reveals abnormalities or tumours that might otherwise go undetected by a simple picture. Furthermore, PET scans provide information whether tumours are benign or malignant, what stage the cancer is at, whether or not it has spread, if cancer treatment is working and whether there are any abnormalities. The technology is also valuable in diagnosing specific diseases of the heart and brain diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "revealed," "showed," or similar expressions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of IPET to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

About IPET and PET

Opened in October 2000, the Vancouver PETSCAN Centre is operated by International PET Diagnostics Inc. (IPET) at the BC Research and Innovation Complex at the University of British Columbia. IPET, a Vancouver company, owns and operates the only private dedicated clinical PET scan facility in Canada.

Based on 30 years of technological research, the PET system is the diagnostic system of choice at more than 750 clinical institutions worldwide - most of which are in the U.S.

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For more information, please contact:
Nicole Tolmie
Wilcox Group
(604) 488-1100 or ntolmie@wilcoxpr.com

Other media material available:
Executive Summary of clinical trial results
Company Fact Sheet
PET Backgrounder and Information Sheet
Biographies