EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC PointMan used in liquid biopsy research study (3169C)
October 15 2015 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMEKF
RNS Number : 3169C
EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC
15 October 2015
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc
("EKF", the "Company")
PointMan(TM) at the core of successful liquid biopsy
research
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM listed
point-of-care, central laboratory and molecular diagnostics
business, announces that results from a study involving EKF's
PointMan DNA enrichment technology have been accepted for
publication in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American
Association for Cancer Research which focusses on innovative
clinical cancer research studies.
The study, which brings together experts from four major US
cancer centres (Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical
School, The University of Texas, and Weill Cornell Medical, NY)
used PointMan DNA enrichment technology for the detection of
genetic variations in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) or
circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples from lung cancer
patients.
In September 2014, EKF announced a two year research
collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital to develop
PointMan assays that can effectively detect treatable cancer
mutations in blood samples, and this study shows that subject to
further clinical validation, liquid biopsy (tumour typing using
blood as the sample source) is a realistic diagnostic opportunity
with significant advantages over tissue biopsy.
The study, entitled "Detection of T790M, the acquired resistance
EGFR mutation, by tumor biopsy versus non-invasive blood-based
analyses", focused on identifying the epidermal growth factor
receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation, which is associated with resistance
to certain cancer drug treatments, using alternative methods to
invasive tissue biopsies. The study identified the T790M mutation
from a standard lung biopsy and then compared these results with
tests on blood samples containing CTCs or ctDNA from the patient's
cancer. The T790M mutation from the CTC samples was enriched using
EKF Molecular Diagnostics' PointMan EGFR T790M DNA enrichment kit
to enhance the sensitivity of the test procedure allowing accurate
genotyping to take place.
A successful outcome of this research would be key for those
developing novel EGFR inhibitors capable of overcoming T790M
associated resistance, whereby clinicians will be able to use
regular blood tests to monitor progress rather than painful and
intrusive lung biopsies.
Julian Baines, CEO of EKF Diagnostics said: "This is the first
published article to feature PointMan and, importantly, the authors
are primarily from four US cancer centres that are instrumental in
the 'Stand Up to Cancer' programme. These results show that liquid
biopsy is well on the way to becoming a realistic diagnostic
alternative to tissue biopsy, particularly when several samples
need to be taken during the treatment period. Importantly this
study shows that PointMan enrichment technology could become an
essential part of routine blood tests for cancer diagnosis and
treatment monitoring."
The article can be viewed here:
http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2015/10/07/1078-0432.CCR-15-1031.abstract?sid=92fd4483-c733-4004-aaf5-4e8ff00eaabe)
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc Tel: 029 2071 0570
David Evans, Executive Chairman Mob: 07740 084 452
Julian Baines, CEO Mob: 07788 420 859
Paul Foulger, CFO Mob: 07710 989 255
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited Tel: 020 7886 2500
Robert Naylor (Corporate Finance)
Paul Fincham (Corporate Finance)
Walbrook PR Limited Tel: 020 7933 8780 or ekf@walbrookpr.com
Mike Wort Mob: 07900 608 002
Anna Dunphy Mob: 07876 741 001
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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