Leading Academic Institutions Collaborate on 800-Patient Study of Effectiveness of...

Leading Academic Institutions Collaborate on 800-Patient Study of
Effectiveness of Cryoablation for Men With Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Cryoablation Offers Second Chance for Patients Whose Cancer Returns after
Radiation

IRVINE, Calif., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Endocare, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ENDO), an innovative medical device company providing minimally
invasive technologies for tissue and tumor ablation, announced today that a
group of the nation's leading academic institutions are collaborating on an
800-patient, multi-center, prospective study of the effectiveness of
cryoablation on men whose prostate cancer has recurred after radiation
therapy. The study, called SCORE (Salvage Cryotherapy Registry Evaluation) is
being led by E. David Crawford, M.D., and Al Barqawi, M.D., both of the
University of Colorado Cancer Center, and physicians from up to 25 leading
medical institutions, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Loma Linda
University, Washington University, the University of Tennessee and Maimonides
Medical Center, are expected to participate.
Statistics show that 25 to 30 percent of men who undergo brachytherapy or
external beam radiation treatments as a primary therapy for prostate cancer
suffer a recurrence in three to five years. For these men, follow-up radiation
therapy (also known as salvage radiation) and follow-up surgery (also known as
salvage prostatectomy) can be effective but they invite additional risk and
complications, according to Dr. Crawford.
"A substantial population of prostate cancer patients has the cancer
return after radiation," Dr. Crawford said. "In my practice, salvage
cryoablation has replaced salvage prostatectomy because it is less invasive
and has minimal morbidity. Physicians have been recommending cryoablation in
this circumstance for years and this study should provide us the data we need
to evaluate and confirm the treatment as an important and proven option for
these men."
"We believe that this study will demonstrate what more and more urologists
already know -- that cryoablation can give these patients a great second
chance," said Craig T. Davenport, Endocare Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "This should be very welcome news to the thousands of
patients each year who have undergone radiation therapy only to see their
cancer come back. These so-called 'salvage' patients have very few options
other than hormone therapy. The study will be used to determine the best
methods for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of these salvage patients. We
look forward to following this study because the most modern and advanced
cryoablation technology available will be used. While previous salvage studies
show good results, we expect these outcomes to be even better."
Cryoablation is a procedure during which the physician freezes and
destroys the cancerous tumors in the prostate gland. Endocare developed and
manufactures the industry's leading cryoablation device, the Endocare
Cryocare(R) System. Patients who undergo cryoablation often are released
within 24 hours of the procedure and are able to return to normal activity
within a few days.
The SCORE Study is the largest prospective trial ever undertaken in
cryoablation. Investigators will collect uniform, HIPAA compliant, anonymous
patient data for collaborative analysis and publication. Data components,
which are based on an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved protocol,
include diagnostics, cryoablation procedure, clinical follow-up and
complications.
A national patient educational and awareness campaign is underway to find
patients with recurrent prostate cancer following radiation. A number of
additional academic and community centers are in the process of joining the
study. Additional information can be found at http://www.scorestudy.org, a
website that has been created to educate prospective patients about the study.
Also, interested parties can call 1-877-722-2796 to speak to a patient
advocate about SCORE or salvage cryotherapy.
About Endocare
Endocare, Inc. -- http://www.endocare.com -- is an innovative medical
device company providing minimally invasive technologies for tissue and tumor
ablation. Endocare has initially concentrated on developing technologies for
the treatment of prostate cancer and believes that its proprietary
technologies have broad applications across a number of markets, including the
ablation of tumors in the kidney, lung and liver and palliative intervention
(treatment of pain associated with metastases).
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding expected participation in, and expected results of, the study
described in this press release. Actual results may differ materially from
any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in
"Risk Factors" in the Company's Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation
to revise, or update publicly, any forward-looking statements for any reason.
Investor Contact: Media Contact:
Matt Clawson Len Hall
Allen & Caron, Inc. Allen & Caron, Inc.
(949) 474-4300 (949) 474-4300
matt@allencaron.com len@allencaron.com

For Additional Information:
Craig T. Davenport, CEO
Michael R. Rodriguez, CFO
Endocare, Inc.
(949) 450-5400

SOURCE Endocare, Inc.

investors, Matt Clawson, matt@allencaron.com, or media, Len Hall,
len@allencaron.com, both of Allen & Caron, Inc., +1-949-474-4300, for
Endocare, Inc.; or Craig T. Davenport, CEO, or Michael R. Rodriguez, CFO, both
of Endocare, Inc., +1-949-450-5400