Blood-Borne DNA Biomarkers Detect Early Cancer

Analysis of fragments of DNA shed into the bloodstream by dead and dying (apoptotic) cells reliably indicates the presence of specific cancers.

The new technology identifies disease-specific genetic fingerprints based on the DNA fragments that can detect both early breast cancer and prostate cancer with 100% specificity and 92% sensitivity. These results are much better than are generally obtained using current diagnostic methods.

Scientists using the new technology found that the presence of DNA fragments from any one of the 29 unique "hotspots” associated with breast cancer indicates that breast cancer is present in the patient. The presence of DNA fragments from any one of the 32 unique "hotspots” associated with prostate cancer, which are different from the breast cancer "hotspots,” is indicative of the presence of prostate cancer.

Chronix Biomedical (San Jose, CA, USA) pioneered the radically new approach to the early detection of cancer. Results of the study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting on June 7, 2010, in Chicago (IL, USA). Chronix also launched a service for oncologists making the assays available for use in clinical trials to monitor cancer recurrence.

"By focusing on these blood-borne genomic ‘hotspots,' we can reliably detect the presence of cancer without having first to isolate and analyze the tumor cells,” said Howard Urnovitz, Ph.D., CEO of Chronix and a coauthor of the study. "If verified by further studies, our Chronix blood-based assays would make it possible to diagnose cancer at its earliest stages, track progress as patients undergo treatment, and personalize treatment using patients' disease-specific genomic fingerprints.”

Chronix Biomedical uses advanced genome analysis methodology, proprietary data tools, and disease-specific databases for diagnosis and prognosis in a chronic neurologic disease, in breast and prostate cancer, and in multiple myeloma.

Related Links:
Chronix Biomedical
American Society of Clinical Oncology