Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, LLC (TMD) Introduces K-ras Mutation Assay to Identify K-ras Mutations in Metastatic Colon Cancer Patients

WESTMONT, IL--(Marketwire - December 05, 2007) - Targeted Molecular Diagnostics (TMD) announced today the commercial availability of a new laboratory test to help identify colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who are resistant to EGFR targeted monoclonal antibody therapies. K-ras mutations have also been associated with resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors especially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mutated K-ras genes have been detected in about 40% of metastatic colorectal cancer and 15% of NSCLC patients. TMD's K-ras Mutation Assay may help identify patients who harbor specific K-ras mutations and therefore may not respond to EGFR inhibitors.