New microRNA technology agreement could lead to early disease
detection
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 16, 2010 - The Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen) and Asuragen Inc. today announced a
research agreement that could lead to ways of detecting cancer
before it spreads.
TGen's Dr. Glen Weiss, an Associate Investigator in TGen's Cancer
and Cell Biology Division, plans initially to work with Asuragen to
search for new ways of screening patients for pancreatic cancer,
one of the fastest moving and deadliest types of cancer.
The project will combine the microRNA expertise and diagnostic
development experience of Asuragen with TGen's strengths in basic
and clinical research.
TGen moved to partner with Asuragen on this project because of its
reputation as an excellent assay development partner, demonstrated
market success and research compatibility with Dr. Weiss' work with
microRNA technology.
Currently, there is no screening test in common use for pancreatic
cancer, which in the U.S. is the fourth leading cause of cancer
death, annually killing more than 35,000. Also, there is no
diagnostic test, other than examining diseased tissue. As a result,
pancreatic cancer often is not detected until the cancer is in
advanced stages, when patients face diminishing treatment
options.
"If we can identify among higher-risk individuals a potential
biomarker that suggests additional investigation is warranted, such
as a imaging, that has potential value -particularly if it leads to
earlier detection and catching the cancer in an early stage," said
Dr. Weiss, who also is director of Thoracic Oncology at TGen
Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare (TCRS).
TCRS is a partnership between TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare that
enables laboratory discoveries to be quickly turned into targeted
therapies that can be tested with patients at the Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center in Scottsdale.
"If you can use a blood test to identify metastatic pancreatic
cancer before it shows up on imaging tests, we may prevent
unnecessary surgery or invasive procedures,'' Dr. Weiss said. "In
addition, our collaboration will seek to identify better prognostic
indicators for predicting the course of the disease and the
prospects for recovery."
Austin-based Asuragen is a leader in the development and use of
microRNA technology to help find biomarkers that can pinpoint the
genetic origins of disease. MicroRNAs are small molecules that
regulate gene expression in the process of making proteins as well
as directing the structure and function of cells. This regulation
usually prevents cancer and other diseases.
Asuragen's focus on diagnostics for pancreatic cancer includes the
development of its Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Test, which was the
world's first microRNA-based diagnostic test. This CLIA-based test
is intended as an aid-in-diagnosis of pancreatic ductal
adenocarcinoma (PDAC) versus chronic pancreatitis in resected
pancreatic specimens. Asuragen is currently conducting a
multi-institution study to develop a miRNA-based test for PDAC
using fine needle aspirate specimens.
"This project to develop a blood-based, miRNA test for pancreatic
cancer is a natural extension of Asuragen's pancreatic cancer
projects and represents an exciting step forward in the effort to
improve diagnosis and treatment of this deadly form of cancer,"
said Matt Winkler, CEO and CSO of Asuragen. "Asuragen recognized
the value of blood-based miRNA markers very early and has been
working steadily to enable early detection of cancer in circulating
biofluids using miRNAs. We see great potential for this to
transform screening and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and
ultimately the survival of pancreatic cancer patients."
The only current prognostic in pancreatic cancer is a blood test
for tumor markers known as CA-19-9. "If we can identify biomarkers
that improve on the performance of CA-19-9 as a prognostic test for
disease relapse after surgery, that may be helpful in identifying
those higher-risk individuals for new therapies that may prevent
disease relapse," Dr. Weiss said.
TGen and Asuragen will work with blood samples collected from
healthy individuals, those with pancreas abnormalities, and
pancreatic cancer from collections developed through TGen's
Pancreatic Cancer Biospecimens Repository, which is directed by Dr.
Michael Demeure, a TGen Senior Investigator and endocrine surgeon.
Other pancreatic cancer samples will come from a collection
developed by the Pancreatic Cancer Research Team (PCRT), an
international collaboration of pancreatic cancer investigators led,
in part, by TGen.
"We are excited that our collection might help lead to earlier
detection of pancreatic cancer and may lead to new prognostic
biomarkers for this disease," said Dr. Demeure.
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About Asuragen Inc.
Asuragen is a fully integrated diagnostic development company and
provider of molecular services, clinical laboratory and companion
diagnostics services. Asuragen is currently leveraging its CLIA
laboratory to offer and further commercialize the first ever
laboratory developed microRNA diagnostic assay, designed to aid in
the diagnosis and disease management of pancreatic ductal
adenocarcinoma. Asuragen also manufactures and markets its
Signature® Oncology and Genetic diagnostic kits for use in other
clinical laboratories. Asuragen's Services Division provides
comprehensive outsourcing solutions to aid in drug development,
molecular biology research, and companion diagnostic test
development. The cGLP laboratory services include sample
preparation know-how, genomic profiling applications, biomarker
discovery capabilities, assay design and validation, CLIA-based
clinical testing, bioinformatic analysis, a high level of
regulatory proficiency, and project management expertise. Asuragen
has a proven track record in providing these services to major
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic
institutions worldwide. In addition, Asuragen has a cGMP
manufacturing facility that allows it to span the spectrum of
discovery, testing, production, and commercialization. Visit our
website at www.asuragen.com.
Press Contact
Bernard Andruss, PhD
Director of Collaborations and Business Development
(512) 681-5246
[email protected]
*
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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