Chondrogene reports on blood-based prostate cancer diagnostic test development

24-Mar-2006

ChondroGene Limited reported on the progress of its ProstateSentry(TM) blood-based prostate cancer detection test. Results from the ProstateSentry test done with a simple blood sample in combination with measured PSA levels, differentiate aggressive forms of prostate cancer in patients in need of curative therapy. The test was developed using the Company's proprietary Sentinel Principle(TM) technology which is capable of readily identifying blood biomarkers for virtually any disease or medical condition, according to Chondrogene. The set of genes used in the ProstateSentry test were identified using the Company's proprietary biomarker discovery process.

Prostate cancer is scored using a grading system developed by Dr. Donald Gleason in 1974 that measures prostate tumour aggressiveness. The Gleason score ranges between 2 and 10, with 10 being the most aggressive form of prostate cancer. Most experts would agree that any cancer with a Gleason score of 7 or above has a high probability of spreading, leading to mortality and therefore should be treated aggressively.

To date, the Company has collected over 500 blood samples in North America and Asia from patients with elevated PSA levels, who have also undergone prostate biopsy and Gleason scoring. ChondroGene has used these samples to identify blood-based biomarker sets that will form the basis of molecular diagnostic tests for the detection of aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

In one study, ChondroGene used a four gene biomarker set, in combination with PSA levels, to identify patients with aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The test was able to discriminate patients with prostate cancer having Gleason scores greater than 7 from controls with sensitivities greater than 90%. The Company is accruing additional blood samples from patients with prostate cancer. The continued accruals shall enable the Company to further validate these initial biomarker sets with blinded studies prior to formal development of a molecular diagnostic kit.

https://www.analytica-world.com/en/news/53387/chondrogene-reports-on-blood-based-prostate-cancer-diagnostic-test-development.html