Cardiff, UK – 21st April 2015 – EKF Diagnostics, the global diagnostics company, announces that its PointMan™ DNA enrichment technology has been identified as an easy and useful method for non-invasively determining plasma EGFR T790M mutation status in late stage lung cancer patients. This is according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015, April 18 - 22, 2015, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In a scientific poster entitled, ‘Non-invasive analysis for T790M mutations of EGFR using a selective amplification method’ [1], researchers from the Kanazawa University Hospital (Kanazawa, Japan) presented a study aiming to develop a blood-based, non-invasive approach to detecting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation. This is associated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); where, generally, T790M positive patients have a much lower overall survival rate. Since tissue availability limits the genotyping of EGFR T790TM mutation in a clinical setting, a liquid biopsy-based approach would provide an ideal alternative to enable the identification of a potential change in treatment path in late stage lung cancer patients.
The PointMan EGFR DNA enrichment kit, a novel method for selective amplification of genotype specific sequences, was used to successfully detect EGFR T790M mutations in the plasma DNA of advanced NSCLC patients. In all cases where T790M mutations were detected in tumour tissues, these mutations were also identified in plasma DNA.
Andrew Webb, CEO EKF Molecular Diagnostics, commented, “These data presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015 provides a significant piece of independent evidence for the enabling of liquid biopsies for EGFR mutation detection in late stage lung cancer patients using our PointMan DNA enrichment technology. The use of such enrichment in a liquid biopsy will lead to improved clinical outcomes for patients as we learn more about how mutation status changes during treatment.”
The scientific poster presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015 is available to view at: http://www.ekfmolecular.com/system/resources/interfaces/ContentDocument.ashx?id=228.
For more information on EKF Diagnostics, see www.ekfdiagnostics.com.
Reference:
1. Nishikawa, S. et al. Non-invasive analysis for T790M mutations of EGFR using a selective amplification method. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015.
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Editors’ notes
About EKF Diagnostics - www.ekfdiagnostics.com
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc, which includes the EKF Diagnostics, EKF Molecular, Stanbio Laboratory, Separation Technology Inc., DiaSpect and Selah Genomics brands, specializes in the development, production and worldwide distribution of point-of-care blood analyzers for use in the detection and management of diabetes, anemia, lactate and kidney related diseases. Its new molecular division, EKF Molecular Diagnostics, focuses on technology used within the development of companion diagnostics, specifically within oncology. EKF products are sold in more than 100 countries around the globe, through a network of specialist distributors.
Point-of-care diagnostics: EKF Diagnostics designs and manufactures world-class diagnostic devices, as well as distributing rapid test kits for infectious diseases and pregnancy. The EKF analyzer range is used widely in GP surgeries, pharmacies, blood banks, sports clinics, hospitals and laboratories for glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and HbA1c measurement.
Central laboratory: EKF, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stanbio Laboratory (Boerne, Texas, USA), manufactures a comprehensive range of clinical chemistry reagents. In addition, EKF Life Sciences (Elkhart, Indiana, USA) manufactures enzymes used in reagent development and also provides contract fermentation facilities.
Molecular Diagnostics: In March 2013 EKF set up a new division to focus on molecular and companion diagnostics following the acquisition of UK-based 360 Genomics. EKF Molecular Diagnostics’ technology, PointMan™, is capable of detecting mutant genes from tiny biopsy and blood samples and has recently entered a partnership with the world renowned cancer research center at Massachusetts General Hospital, USA.
EKF Diagnostics’ strengths lie in its multi-national research and manufacturing facilities, teams of experienced analysts and engineers in Germany, Ireland, USA and the UK, and a board led by some of world’s foremost authorities in medical diagnostics.
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