• High Sensitivity, ELISA test in study for Bladder Cancer recurrence
• Six month, investigator-led study at Southampton University
• Study builds on successful 350 patient Bladder Cancer trial
Sunderland, UK, 7th December 2015: Arquer Diagnostics Ltd (Arquer), a diagnostic company which has developed a high sensitivity, high specificity, ELISA-based urine test for cancer, has announced the start of a six month clinical study to optimise the effectiveness of the company’s Mcm5-ELISA test for the diagnosis of recurrent bladder cancer. The study will be led by Tim Dudderidge MB ChB MSc FRCS (Urol) at the Southampton General Hospital and follows on from the recent successful screening trial involving 350 haematuria patients, which indicated the Mcm5-ELISA test has a Sensitivity of 83% Specificity of 77% and Negative Predictive Value of 98%.
Roughly 65% of bladder cancer cases recur within five years and patients are routinely monitored on a periodic basis after treatment. Currently, this is done using cystoscopy, which is expensive and uncomfortable for patients. Arquer is developing a simple urine based test which aims to reduce the number of cystoscopies each bladder cancer patient undergoes.
Arquer’s Mcm5-ELISA diagnostic test detects the presence of minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 (Mcm5) protein in urine. MCM proteins are shed into urine by both prostate and bladder tumours and are known to be excellent biomarkers of cancer - being directly involved in cell replication. Arquer’s diagnostic test originates from work conducted by Cambridge University and Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the development and commercialisation arm of Cancer Research UK, and has been improved significantly during the last couple of years by the Arquer team led by CEO, Dr. Ian Campbell and Chairman, Dr. Sandy Primrose.
The new study will involve at least 40 patients with diagnosed bladder cancer. The level of Mcm5 in their urine will be measured prior to treatment, and each time they return for follow-up over a six month period. It is hoped that the study will demonstrate the utility of the Mcm5-ELISA test both as a bladder cancer screening tool, and for the detection of bladder cancer in patients previously diagnosed and treated for the condition.
Dr Ian Campbell, CEO, Arquer Diagnostics, commented: “We are committed to improving outcomes for bladder and prostate cancer patients. At present, over 150,000 cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed in Europe annually, and this number is increasing. The health economic benefits of our Mcm5-ELISA test would enable accurate, non-invasive close monitoring of the disease at low cost.”
Dr Tim Dudderidge, Principal Investigator, commented: “There is currently an unmet need for a test that would allow for more screening and enable earlier detection of bladder cancer. The Mcm5-ELISA test has the potential to provide patients with a simple and non-invasive solution for screening, and for the detection of recurrence.”
Contacts
For Arquer Diagnostics Ltd:
Lorna Cuddon, Zyme Communications
+44 (0) 7811 996 942
lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com
About Arquer Diagnostics Ltd
Arquer Diagnostics (Arquer) is a venture backed, UK based diagnostics company focused on the development and commercialisation of a non-invasive immunoassay diagnostic test for bladder and prostate cancer. Arquer’s diagnostic test, the Mcm5-ELISA, detects the presence of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) protein, a marker for the presence of dividing cancer cells, in urine. MCM proteins are excellent cancer biomarkers - being directly involved in cell replication, and are shed into urine by both prostate and bladder tumours. Arquer’s technology originates from work carried out by Cambridge University and Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the development and commercialisation arm of Cancer Research UK.
The non-invasive, urine-based ELISA and Point-of Care tests being developed by Arquer meet the increased demand for cost-effective healthcare technologies that not only enhance patient care but help to reduce overall healthcare costs by improving patient outcomes. The Mcm5-ELISA is expected to significantly reduce the number of patients undergoing invasive and costly techniques such as cystoscopy and biopsy, because it offers highly accurate diagnostic results from small amounts of body fluid. Established in 2007, Arquer Diagnostics Ltd is based at the North East Business and Innovation Centre, Sunderland, UK. The management team and Board of Directors have extensive experience in the diagnostic market. Arquer will commercialise ELISA and Point-of-Care urine tests for cancer for use in the urology clinic, hospital lab and the GP’s surgery.
