NPScreen develops a Nasopharyngeal cancer screening test that is simple, non-invasive, and 99% accurate

MARKHAM, ON, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - A Markham, Ontario-based company has developed a specialized test which screens for nasopharyngeal cancer.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140320/TO592)

Nasopharyngeal cancer, known as NPC, is a rare but deadly disease. It is global in scope, and individuals with a Hong Kong, Southeast Asian, Inuit, North African, or Middle Eastern background have a higher risk for NPC. These individuals may benefit from this early screening test.

In the early stages, NPC has few obvious symptoms, and the cancer often grows undetected, hidden in the nasopharynx, near the center of the head. Usually it is diagnosed after the tumor is well developed, making treatment difficult with poor survival outcomes. When detected early and treated, the chances of full recovery are almost 90%.

NPScreen has developed a genetic test that detects the cancer in its early stages, when it is still curable. The test is quick, non-invasive, and most importantly, 99% accurate.

"We are excited about the launch of this innovative, unique screening process that we believe will dramatically change the course of Nasopharyngeal cancer and save thousands of lives EVERY year." says NPScreen President Dr. John Phillips.

The screening process is managed as  a simple, non-invasive office procedure. Using a uniquely designed instrument to brush the back of the patient's throat, the specialist takes a sample of surface cells, which are then analyzed for the presence of the Epstein-Barr viral genome sequence. The Epstein-Barr virus infects the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx and is closely linked to the development of NPC.

There are numerous clinics in Canada, the U.S.A., Hong Kong and Singapore, where specialists are now using the NPScreen test to screen patients and their families for this aggressive cancer.

About NPScreen
NPScreen (www.npscreen.com) is a Canadian biotech company that has developed an innovative genetic test for a deadly cancer. The test detects nasopharyngeal cancer in the early stages, allowing quicker treatment and better chances for survival. The company's management structure is supported by academic and clinical partnerships across North America and Asia, including a team consisting of the world's leading experts in the fields of diagnosing and treating nasopharyngeal cancer.

SOURCE NPScreen