Provista Life Sciences LLC (PLS), a diagnostic development and commercialization company, has successfully completed extensive clinical trials on a new breast cancer blood test. The early detection test is called the BT Test(TM) and it is being made available to a select number of physicians in the Phoenix market as part of the company's initial market release. The BT Test, which stands for Biomarker Translation Test, is designed to assist physicians in making an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer when used adjunctively with a mammogram.

Provista Life Sciences is a biotechnology diagnostics development and commercialization organization that provides the scientific and operating management resources to rapidly advance the development and introduction of novel diagnostics technologies into the domestic and global marketplace

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer kills more women than any other form of cancer. One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime -- yet when detected and treated in its early stages, there is a 96 percent survival rate. Provista Life Sciences is a strong proponent of early detection of breast cancer and recommends a combination of annual mammograms and the BT Test to help doctors more accurately diagnose breast cancer in its early stages, when life-saving treatment is most effective.

In clinical studies involving breast cancer-positive and non-breast cancer patients, the latter group being comprised of both healthy and benign breast condition patients, the BT Test demonstrated an accuracy of 88 percent (as defined by the area under the ROC Curve). The BT Test utilizes a proprietary algorithm to evaluate the levels and relationship of multiple, cancer associated protein biomarkers in blood serum. This data is coupled with a patient's personal medical profile to generate a comprehensive report designed to assist healthcare providers in making an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer. Provista Diagnostics, a Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendment (CLIA) registered laboratory and a wholly owned subsidiary of Provista Life Sciences, is providing the laboratory services for the test. Provista Life Sciences currently has 15 Phoenix area practitioners offering the test and participating in this initial process optimization effort.