Molecular Test Predicts Targeted Therapy Response in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abbott (Des Plaines, IL, USA) announced that its molecular diagnostics business has entered into an agreement with Genentech, Inc. (San Francisco, CA, USA), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Basel, Switzerland), and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Melville, NY, USA) to develop a gene test to identify patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who might derive greater treatment benefits from targeted lung cancer therapies.

Under the agreement, Abbott will develop a test to detect extra copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene using its proprietary fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology in NSCLC. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

FISH technology provides the ability to see multiple chromosomal abnormalities simultaneously in a single cell and to visually assess these genetic abnormalities in patient specimens. FISH-based tests use DNA probes labeled with colored fluorescent tags that bind to specific gene sequences on human chromosomes. These probes can reveal amplification of gene copy number or the rearrangement of large genetic structures, two genetic abnormalities that underlie certain cancers and other medical conditions.

"By helping to unlock the information found at the molecular level in each person's DNA, we believe that molecular diagnostics hold the promise of personalized medicine,” said Stafford O'Kelly, vice president, molecular diagnostics, Abbott. "Our goal through this important technology is to improve the practice of medicine by helping to reduce risk, produce targeted cures, and improve the detection and prevention of serious illnesses.”


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