OncoMethylome presents promising results of a blood-based methylation
assay for the detection of col
(Thomson Reuters ONE) - OncoMethylome's blood test for colorectal cancer screening is beingpresented at the ECCO - ESMO Congress, Europe's largest cancerconferenceLiege (Belgium) - September 21, 2009, 05h00 AM CET - OncoMethylomeSciences is announcing today promising results from its on-goingevaluation of a blood-based methylation assay for the screening anddetection of colorectal cancer (CRC). The results are beingpresented on Monday, September 21st at the 15th Congress of theEuropean Cancer Organization and 34th Congress of the EuropeanSociety for Medical Oncology in Berlin, Germany.In recognition of the positive new clinical data and the importanceof OncoMethylome's novel test to the cancer field, the Conferenceorganizers selected OncoMethylome's late-breaking abstract for anoral presentation and are issuing their own press release aboutOncoMethylome's blood-based colorectal cancer screening test. Dataon the method of methylation marker selection, the analyticalperformance of the test and the first results from a multi-centerfeasibility study is being presented. The ultimate goal of theprogram is to provide a sensitive, specific and patient-friendlyoption for colorectal cancer screening. A copy of the press releaseof the Conference organizers can be found atwww.ecco-org.eu/page.aspx/1671"We optimised the methods of DNA extraction and methylation detectionso that we could detect low levels of methylated genes in bloodsamples of people with colorectal cancer," says Dr. Louwagie,OncoMethylome's VP of Product Development, "and we were able to finda high frequency of two newly reported methylation genes, SYNE1 andFOXE1, in colorectal cancer patients. Equally important, the samemethylation genes occurred infrequently in non-cancerousindividuals.""The results are very encouraging and by the end of 2009, we plan tocomplete enrolment of 7000 people into a prospective colorectalcancer screening study currently being conducted in several Germancolonoscopy centers. Once validated, the new methylation test couldbe used as a non-invasive screening option for patients who declineor do not have access to colonoscopy or do not wish to undertake thefaecal occult blood test" says Dr. Louwagie."DNA methylation of critical genes has been linked to the initiationand progression of tumours, and this assay is detecting changesspecifically found in cancerous tissues" commented Dr. HermanSpolders, CEO of OncoMethylome. "This new test will provide a way ofscreening a large part of the population, in a more patient-friendlyand non-invasive manner, so that more cancers are detected early andtreated successfully. We are very excited about the progress and arecurrently talking to several partners about distribution rights."About Colorectal CancerColorectal cancer ("CRC") occurs in approximately one in every 17people during their lifetime and is the second leading cause ofcancer-related death in the United States and Europe, where acombined total of about 560,000 people develop the disease each yearand 250,000 die from it. CRC typically occurs in adults (over age 50)but, because symptoms are often not present in early-stage disease,less than 40% of patients are diagnosed at an early stage when thedisease is most treatable. Due to the high morbidity and mortalityof late stage CRC (5-year survival rate is 11% in the US), there havebeen on-going efforts to provide access to methods for earlydetection in age-appropriate, non-symptomatic adults. Despite theseefforts, it is estimated that over 100 million adults in the US andEurope have not been screened for CRC.About Colorectal Cancer ScreeningColonoscopy, where the interior of the colon and rectum is examinedusing a tiny camera mounted on a flexible tube, is the most sensitivetest currently available and has the benefit of allowing removal ofpre-cancerous polyps. Colonoscopy, however, is invasive, expensive,requires bowel preparation and skilled practitioners, thereby makingit inaccessible or unacceptable for many patients.Faecal occult blood testing (FOBT), where patients give stool samplesto be analysed, is less invasive, inexpensive and is used in nationalscreening programmes in some European countries. This test detectsthe presence of blood in a stool sample, which can be due to CRC butalso to other non-cancerous conditions. Due to patients' reluctanceto handle stool samples, however, compliance for even thebest-organised national screening programs in Europe is often lessthan 50%. In the US, less than 20% of the targeted populationundergoes FOBT screening within a two-year time frame.About Methylation and Methylation MarkersMethylation is a natural control mechanism that regulates geneexpression in DNA. Abnormal methylation of certain genes, such astumor suppressor genes, can silence gene expression and is associatedwith cancer development. Genes, whose methylation is linked tocancer, are called methylation markers. OncoMethylome ownsproprietary technology that is highly sensitive and capable ofdetecting methylation markers, and thereby cancer, even in earlystages of cancer development.About OncoMethylome SciencesOncoMethylome Sciences (Euronext Brussels: ONCOB; Euronext Amsterdam:ONCOA) is a molecular diagnostics company developing gene methylationtests to assist physicians in effectively detecting and treatingcancer. Specifically, the company's tests are designed to help thephysician (i) accurately detect cancer in early stages of cancerdevelopment, (ii) predict a patient's response to drug therapy, and(iii) predict the likelihood of cancer recurrence.OncoMethylome boasts a broad product development pipeline and a solidpartnering record. The company collaborates with leadinginternational molecular oncology research centers, such as The JohnsHopkins University, and has a number of commercial and collaborativepartnerships with Veridex LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, LabCorp,Schering-Plough Corp., GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Abbott, MilliporeCorporation's BioScience Division, Merck KGaA and Qiagen.OncoMethylome's products are based on methylation technology inventedby Johns Hopkins University (USA).Established in January 2003, OncoMethylome has offices in Liege andLeuven (Belgium), in Durham, NC (USA), and in Amsterdam (theNetherlands).For more information please contact:Philip DevineTel. +32 4 364 20 70ir(at)oncomethylome.comhttp://hugin.info/137314/R/1342403/321308.pdfThis announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Datum: 21.09.2009 - 05:00 Uhr
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