Lab21 Provides CTC Detection System in UK and Ireland

Lab21 Ltd (Cambridge, UK) and AdnaGen AG (Langenhagen, Germany) have signed an exclusive service and distribution agreement for AdnaGen's circulating tumor cell (CTC) diagnostic assays in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The tests are based on the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood and subsequent detection of tumor-associated biomarkers.

The AdnaGen test products for detection and analysis of CTCs from metastatic breast cancer and metastatic colon cancer improve disease prognosis and patient management. The tests rely on immunomagnetic selection of tumor cells from blood, followed by detection of tumor-associated biomarkers using real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR). This approach does not rely on the detection of a single marker, but can detect a broad range of tumor molecular markers.

CTC tests can be applied in several distinct cancer diagnostic areas. The first is for disease prognosis where persistence and/or increase in levels of CTCs indicate disease progression or poor outcome. The second provides a measure of the patient's response to treatment. Persistence or reappearance of CTCs may indicate the need for additional or alternative treatment. In addition, the biomarkers expressed in CTCs provide insight into which drug targets are present on distant metastases and, therefore, which therapies could be effective.

Cancer diagnostics is a fast evolving and rapidly growing segment of in vitro diagnostics (IVD). The high prevalence and mortality rates rank cancer amongst the world's most disabling and deadly diseases. The cost of treating cancer creates a serious pressure on global healthcare budgets. These data prime the need for improved diagnostics that either provide a diagnosis at an earlier stage or assist in better therapy management.

Dr. Berwyn Clarke, CEO, Lab21 Ltd commented: "This agreement underscores our determination to exploit new and emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics. Detecting circulating tumor cells provides physicians a means to monitor therapy. Since cancer is evolving from a fatal condition towards a chronic disorder, Lab21 Ltd wants to position itself to offer tools for improved patient management as well as cost control. We also see this as a key new service to offer our pharmaceutical partners as they develop new anticancer agents." Lab21 expects to be ready to launch the new service from its clinical diagnostic service center in Cambridge in October 2009.

Related Links:
Lab21 Ltd.
AdnaGen AG