Plasma Proneurotensin Levels Predict Breast Cancer

A simple blood test for the determination of proneurotensin (pro-NT) shows promise as a starting point for the prevention of breast cancer. The test will be available in Europe beginning in the second quarter of 2013.

Sphingotec GmbH (Hennigsdorf, Germany) will launch the blood test, Sphingotest pro-NT, for the early prediction of breast cancer in women. The new test detects the release of the satiety hormone neurotensin and is applicable to all female individuals, regardless of genetic predispositions. Data demonstrating that determination of proneurotensin levels offers a substantial advantage in prediction of breast cancer was recently published in the October 10, 2012, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Neurotensin is a satiety hormone, released in gastrointestinal tract. The major stimulus for neurotensin production is fat. Breast cancer-cell growth is stimulated by neurotensin. Because neurotensin is a very unstable peptide, Sphingotec uses the stable precursor hormone proneurotensin as a surrogate biomarker for neurotensin. High levels of proneurotensin correspond with a three-fold risk of developing breast cancer or a recurrence of breast cancer.

"Sphingotec will offer a simple blood test that can be used by gynecologists, family doctors and clinical laboratories for women to quantify their individual risk to develop breast cancer," said Dr. Andreas Bergmann, CEO of Sphingotec GmbH. "We are confident this test will impact current prevention and early recognition programs for breast cancer and ultimately breast cancer incidence as well."

Sphingotec GmbH is a biotechnology company that aims to reduce incidence of severe diseases like cancer and diabetes by identification of susceptibility factors. The company explores biomarkers that are susceptibility factors for the development of severe diseases and provides starting points for prevention strategies.

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