SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Biocept, an emerging leader in biotechnology, is initiating a collaborative study with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to investigate the ability to isolate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood. The study will use Biocept's proprietary CEE(TM) (Cell Enrichment and Extraction) technology, designed to capture rare cells from a larger heterogeneous cell population. The focus of this study is ovarian cancer.
"This innovation in rare cell capture offers an enhanced opportunity to detect circulating ovarian cancer cells," says principal investigator Anil Sood, MD. "The goal is to provide more powerful tools to monitor the response to treatment, improve early detection and personalize prognosis for our patients."
The study has three goals: to optimize detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in ovarian cancer patients, to quantify the levels of CTCs in patients with primary or recurrent ovarian cancer, and to compare gene profiles between CTCs and primary tumor specimens. The findings could provide valuable insight towards treatment planning and identification of novel biologic targets.
"We hope that our ability to isolate and quantify circulating tumor cells will improve cancer detection and treatment by giving physicians valuable information early in the disease course," says Gordon Janko, president and CEO of Biocept.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells). In 2007, there will be an estimated 22,430 new cases and 15,280 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States.
About Biocept
Biocept, an emerging biotechnology leader, engineers novel solutions that provide the foundation for a new class of diagnostics assays for prenatal and oncology applications. Its proprietary CEE(TM) Cell Enrichment and Extraction platform combines sophisticated attachment chemistry with mathematically modeled fluid dynamics. This proprietary technology enables earlier, accurate, less invasive diagnoses. Isolation, purification and analysis of rare cells are managed within our state-of-the-art CLIA-accredited laboratory. Founded in 1997, Biocept is privately held and is based in San Diego, California.
CONTACT: Lisa Zindel of Biocept, +1-415-595-1737
