Cohesion's Product Used Minimally Invasively to Halt Metastatic
Cancer-Related Bleeding
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 27 /PRNewswire/ --
CoStasis(R) surgical hemostat ("CoStasis") was recently integral in allowing a 62-year-old father of two and grandfather of three to resume
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001211/COHESIONLOGO )
Clayton Hopkins, a Vietnam-era veteran living in California's San Joaquin Valley, has metastatic lung cancer that spread to his stomach, which resulted in uncontrolled gastrointestinal bleeding, confinement to a hospital intensive care unit and the need for frequent blood transfusions.
"Mr. Hopkins had failed prior chemotherapy and his therapeutic options were limited," according to Tony Reid, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Oncology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto, Calif. "Surgery is performed at times, but has significant risks. Radiation can help control localized cancer and reduce bleeding, but requires multiple daily treatments and was of limited value to Mr. Hopkins because the extent of bleeding required continuous blood transfusions and ICU monitoring. Furthermore, the cancer had spread widely so that only the most critical tumor masses could be effectively treated with radiation," stated Dr. Reid.
"In an effort to improve Mr. Hopkins' quality of life and to reduce the need for blood transfusions, we treated him with CoStasis, very successfully, via endoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure," stated Roy Soetikno, M.D., Chief of Endoscopy, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. "The stomach bleeding stopped almost immediately, allowing his chemotherapy to be administered, which arrested and shrank the cancer. I believe CoStasis played a significant role not only in prolonging Mr. Hopkins' life, but also in improving his quality of life," Dr. Soetikno added.
"CoStasis controlled the bleeding and allowed us to proceed with management of the patient's malignancy," said Dr. Reid. "I am pleased with his response to chemotherapy, as Mr. Hopkins' cancer is much smaller. While this is not a cure for his cancer, he's had a very good response and, more important, Mr. Hopkins is back at home with his wife and is once again riding his bike."
Asked about his experience with CoStasis, Clayton Hopkins proclaimed, "In my case, it saved my life. I didn't have a whole bunch of options; either (surgically) remove my stomach, or sit there and bleed to death. My cancer and chemotherapy left the blood vessels raw and seeping blood, and I felt weak. The treatment worked almost immediately, I was awake, and it was performed in my intensive care room. A few days later the (naso-gastric) tube was taken out. I haven't bled since, and I haven't been re-treated. My appetite returned right after the procedure and I've gained some weight back, too."
David Foster, chief executive officer of Cohesion Technologies, Inc., commented, "Improving surgical outcomes and patient quality of life is what Cohesion Technologies' products are about. CoStasis is a highly effective, versatile product that is used in traditional, open surgical procedures, as well as in minimally invasive procedures -- as was the case with Mr. Hopkins. The quick and easy preparation of CoStasis (approximately five minutes), along with its history of effectiveness are only a few of the product's important features and benefits. Because minimally invasive procedures tend to result in better patient outcomes, at lower costs, the frequency of such procedures is growing. We continue to receive positive feedback about CoStasis from leading physicians such as Drs. Soetikno and Reid."
CoStasis surgical hemostat is a liquid sprayable hydrogel designed for use as an adjunct to hemostasis in surgical procedures, except neurological, ophthalmic and urological surgeries. CoStasis is comprised of a ready-to-use suspension of collagen and thrombin, which is mixed with the patient's plasma, and is sprayed directly on the bleeding site. CoStasis remains intact during the critical wound healing period and is resorbed by the body within 30 days. United States Surgical, a unit of Tyco International Ltd., distributes CoStasis.
CoStasis offers surgeons several important advantages including the ability to stop difficult bleeding quickly, easy preparation and use, and a proven safety profile. Because CoStasis uses the patient's own plasma, there is no potential contamination risk from using pooled blood-derived products.
Cohesion Technologies, Inc. is developing products for the estimated $1.5 billion worldwide emerging market for BioSurgical materials. For more information on Cohesion Technologies, please visit the Company's Web site at www.cohesiontech.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipates," "attempts," "potentially," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "intends," "expects" and similar words and phrases. Actual results are subject to risks and uncertainties, including success in controlling bleeding, the ability of our products to facilitate other medical procedures and treatments and improve surgical outcomes and patient quality of life, clinical efficacy of and market demand for products, assessment of market size and development, Cohesion's position in the market, results of clinical studies, the rate of product adoption, usage, order and re-order rates. Please see the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company's recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs, which identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
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