SEATTLE, June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Onconome, Inc., a privately held Seattle-based biotechnology company, today announced the publication of a research study conducted at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine under the direction of Robert Getzenberg, Ph.D., professor of urology and director of research at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. The study relates to two newly discovered blood proteins, CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 (Colon Cancer Specific Antigen 3 & 4) that could provide an additional tool to help clinicians determine the necessity and frequency of colonoscopy.
According to the Hopkins study, which is published in the June 15 issue of Cancer Research, measuring CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 protein levels in blood serum demonstrated a high level of accuracy in correctly identifying colon cancer patients, versus non-cancer patients and patients with cancers other than colon.
The study involved 260 individuals; including 28 with confirmed cases of colorectal cancer, 125 with various other forms of cancer and benign diseases and 107 healthy individuals. The Hopkins team analyzed the results and were able to correctly identify 100% of the existing cancers from the total group.
“The results from the Johns Hopkins University research study indicate that the measurement of the CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 proteins in serum could significantly enhance the early diagnosis of colon cancer once the test is widely available” says Ray Cairncross, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Onconome, Inc. “As exclusive licensee, Onconome will focus on continuing the work done at Johns Hopkins and on developing a blood test for FDA approval and routine clinical use” continued Cairncross.
The study was underwritten by a grant from Onconome, Inc. that holds exclusive, worldwide rights to the technology.
A Promising Advancement in Testing
Current colon cancer screening guidelines for healthy people recommend that a baseline colonoscopy be performed at age 50 to detect any abnormalities. The procedure involves colonic cleansing, fasting and heavy sedation prior to the deployment of a flexible, optical-scanning scope through the rectum into the colon. Colonoscopy, which is expensive and uncomfortable, is recommended to be repeated every 5-10 years. An inexpensive and accurate blood test as may be developed using the CCSA-4 protein, could be used to help identify those who would benefit from the more invasive colonoscopy and reduce the number of unwarranted procedures.
About Onconome, Inc.
Onconome, Inc. (Seattle, WA) was incorporated in 2000 as a biomedical company committed to the discovery and commercialization of products for the early detection of prostate, colon, and other types of cancer and life- threatening human diseases. Through its licensing arrangements with both Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh, Onconome has obtained exclusive, worldwide rights to the use and development of numerous protein markers for the early diagnosis of cancer as well as for drug screening and in vivo imaging. Under a Contract Research Agreement, Onconome funds the discovery and development of these markers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The Company will also utilize its novel, proteomic technologies to assist pharmaceutical companies in their efforts to develop cancer therapies and to select clinical trial candidates and will collaborate with in-vivo imaging and targeted therapeutics companies to improve detection and treatment of disease.
For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.onconome.com.
Media Contacts: Erick Rabins Managing Director, Bus. Dev. Onconome, Inc. 206-268-8517 erabins@onconome.com Ray Cairncross Chief Executive Officer Onconome, Inc. 206-268-8510 rcairncross@onconome.com
Onconome, Inc.
CONTACT: Media, Erick Rabins, Managing Director of Bus. Dev.,+1-206-268-8517, erabins@onconome.com, or Ray Cairncross, Chief ExecutiveOfficer, +1-206-268-8510, rcairncross@onconome.com, both of Onconome, Inc.
Web site: http://www.onconome.com/
