Abbott Laboratories and GlaxoSmithKline to Collaborate on Molecular Diagnostic Test to Select Candidate Patients for Future Cancer Immunotherapy
DES PLAINES, Ill., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott announced today that it has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop an automated molecular diagnostic test, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, intended to screen non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors for expression of the MAGE-A3 antigen. GSK's MAGE-A3 ASCI (Antigen Specific Cancer Immunotherapy) candidate is currently being evaluated as an adjuvant treatment in resected NSCLC in the Phase III clinical study MAGRIT, the largest lung cancer treatment study ever conducted. To be eligible to receive GSK's MAGE A3 ASCI, patients must have MAGE-A3 expressing NSCLC tumors. MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in non-small cell lung cancer and a wide variety of other cancers, but not in normal cells.
"This is an exciting collaboration with a leading company in cancer immunotherapy research," said Stafford O'Kelly, head of Abbott's molecular diagnostics business. "The agreement is indicative of our focus on personalized medicine and developing analytical molecular tools to identify patients most likely to benefit from important pharmacogenomic therapies."
"Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer globally," said Vincent Brichard, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and head of Immunotherapeutics, GSK. "Through this partnership we aim to make MAGE-A3 testing of lung tumors available in standard pathology labs around the world. This means patients globally could be able to find out if they are eligible and can potentially benefit from targeted cancer treatment against this antigen, such as GSK's MAGE-A3 candidate ASCI."
MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in a large variety of cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer, with no expression in normal cells. Expression of the MAGE-A3 gene has been observed in testicular cells but without antigen presentation capabilities. MAGE-A3 protein has been in-licensed by GSK from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the largest international academic institute dedicated to understanding and controlling cancer. MAGE-A3 ASCI is an investigational compound and it is not approved for use in any indication in any country at this time.
Molecular Tests for Oncology
Abbott's development efforts in areas such as MAGE-A3 will further build its leadership position in cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine. Abbott is a pioneer in the use of molecular tests based on PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technologies to aid clinicians in the selection of appropriate pharmacogenomic therapies. Abbott's FISH products deliver unsurpassed sensitivity for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer and the ability to identify patients who can benefit from appropriate therapies, improving outcomes and extending patient survival.
The Abbott m2000 instrument is marketed in most major markets throughout the world and offers an extensive menu for infectious disease testing, including HIV viral load, hepatitis B viral load, chlamydia detection, chlamydia/gonorrhea (CT/NG) multiplexed assay, hepatitis C (HCV) viral load, HCV genotyping, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus. With the exception of the CT/NG assay, these tests currently are not available on the m2000 in the United States.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
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Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
http://www.immunotherapyforcancer.com/
http://www.gsk-asci.com/