OncoMethylome Sciences: First Methylation Assay for Prostate Cancer
Introduced by LabCorp
OncoMethylome's gene methylation technology used to advance the
diagnosis of prostate cancer
Liege (Belgium) - May 16, 2008, 14:30 CET - OncoMethylome Sciences
(Euronext Brussels: ONCOB, Euronext Amsterdam: ONCOA) announced today
that Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®)
commercially launched an assay for prostate cancer including the
detection of the methylation of the GST-Pi gene in tissue.
This is the first DNA methylation test to become commercially and
broadly available in the US for clinical use.
When utilized in combination with conventional histopathology
testing, an assay that detects the methylation status of key genes
such as GST-Pi may provide for a more sensitive and accurate
detection of prostate cancer than histology alone. The assay is
anticipated to be useful for biopsies with suspicious histopathology,
in cases where additional prognostic information is needed, and for
patients who have elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) values
with biopsy findings that are repeatedly negative.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with 230,000 cases
diagnosed per year in the US, and it is the second leading cause of
cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third in Europe.
The diagnosis of prostate cancer is made by histopathology of
prostate tissue removed during biopsy, a procedure done on close to a
million men per year in the US. In the US, only one in four prostate
biopsies is positive for prostate cancer but, due to the reportedly
high false negative rate of biopsy results, repeat biopsies are
commonly performed in men with elevated PSAs. Studies have shown
that methylation of the GST-Pi gene occurs at a high frequency in
prostate cancer samples.
This is the first commercially available molecular diagnostic test
that incorporates OncoMethylome's patented methylation technology.
Following numerous published clinical studies demonstrating the value
of the GST-Pi methylation marker in prostate cancer, OncoMethylome
licensed the prostate cancer applications to Veridex LLC, a Johnson &
Johnson company, who subsequently issued a sublicense to LabCorp.
Under the terms of the Veridex sublicense agreement, OncoMethylome
will receive royalties and milestone payments.
LabCorp, an industry leader in oncology testing and the second
largest clinical reference laboratory in the U.S., is headquartered
in Burlington, North Carolina, USA.
"The U.S. commercial launch of a methylation-based prostate cancer
assay is an important milestone and turning point for OncoMethylome.
As OncoMethylome has a pipeline of over ten novel diagnostic and
personalized treatment tests, we hope this launch will be the first
of many in the coming years. OncoMethylome plans to introduce this
first prostate cancer test in Europe over the coming year." commented
Herman Spolders, CEO of OncoMethylome.
To download this press release as a PDF, click here: Press Release
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About OncoMethylome Sciences
OncoMethylome Sciences (Euronext Brussels: ONCOB; Euronext Amsterdam:
ONCOA) is a molecular diagnostics company developing gene methylation
tests to assist physicians in effectively detecting and treating
cancer. Specifically, the company's tests are designed to help the
physician (i) accurately detect cancer in early stages of cancer
development, (ii) predict a patient's response to drug therapy, and
(iii) predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence.
OncoMethylome boasts a broad product development pipeline consisting
of ten products and a solid partnering record. The company
collaborates with leading international molecular oncology research
centers, such as The Johns Hopkins University, and has a number of
commercial and collaborative partnerships with Veridex LLC, a Johnson
& Johnson company, LabCorp, Schering-Plough Corp., GlaxoSmithKline
Biologicals, Abbott, Millipore Corporation's BioScience Division, and
EXACT Sciences Corp. OncoMethylome's products are based on
methylation technology invented by Johns Hopkins University (USA).
Established in January 2003, OncoMethylome has offices in Liege and
Leuven (Belgium), in Durham, NC (USA), and in Amsterdam (the
Netherlands).
For more information please contact:
Philip Devine
Tel. +32-479-505-885
ir@oncomethylome.com
www.oncomethylome.com
