Potential to Develop First Test for Colon Cancer
Predisposition from A Blood Sample
BERLIN and SEATTLE, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Epigenomics, a transatlantic
biotechnology company, announced today that it has signed an exclusive
licensing agreement with Johns Hopkins University for an at risk marker for
colon cancer discovered by Prof. Andrew Feinberg. This marker is described in
Science, Mar 14, 2003. From a simple blood test, detecting the presence of the
marker is approximately 20-fold more likely with a history of colorectal
cancer, and approximately five-fold more likely with a family history of
colorectal cancer. Epigenomics and Johns Hopkins University intend to research
the marker further and develop a test to detect its presence using
Epigenomics' proprietary DNA methylation technologies, potentially avoiding
onerous colonoscopy for many patients. Identified patients would then be
encouraged to participate frequently in a cancer screening program.
The presence of the marker indicates the loss of imprinting, a natural
mechanism that "locks" the expression of a gene depending on its parental
origin by DNA methylation. DNA methylation is a natural "switch" that controls
gene expression giving rise to distinct patterns in cells, including those
found in cancer and other diseases. These patterns enable the early detection
and classification of tumors from tissue and bodily fluids, such as blood
serum or urine samples.
"Andrew's research at Johns Hopkins University is really pioneering a new
age in disease detection. As described in the Science paper last week, for the
first time an at risk marker based on loss of imprinting (LOI) has been found
in the blood that correlates to a specific cancer, in this case colon cancer,"
stated Dr. Kurt Berlin, Chief Scientific Officer at Epigenomics. "We hope that
by developing a DNA-methylation based test to indicate the predisposition of
individuals to this frequent disease that people at risk will regularly
participate in screenings and seek treatment in sufficient time, if a
diagnosis is made."
As discussed in a paper in Science, Mar 14, 2003 ("A commonly abnormal
Epigenetic Marker associated with Famliy and Personal History of Colorectal
Neoplasia", vol 299, number 5613, p 1753ff), loss of imprinting of a normally
imprinted locus of chromosome 11 is strongly associated with both a family
history and personal history of colorectal cancer. Loss of imprinting at this
locus can be detected in about 10% of the American population. Prospective
studies will be performed to confirm that loss of imprinting at this locus
concurs with a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Background on Imprinting
In each cell of the body, there are two copies of each gene, one from the
mother and one from the father. Usually, information from both sets of genes
is used by the cells to produce ("express") their products (hormones,
proteins, etc.). However, the expression of a few genes in cells has been
found to be dependent on whether the gene came from the mother or the father.
The process by which expression is altered based on the parental origin of the
genes is termed imprinting. One of the mechanisms involved in imprinting is
DNA methylation.
Epigenomics is committed to significantly improving the treatment of
cancer and other complex diseases by developing novel diagnostic and
pharmacogenomic products based on DNA methylation. By detecting and
interpreting DNA methylation patterns, the "on" and "off" signs for genes,
Epigenomics can create a digitized readout (Digital Phenotype(R)) for each
cell. The comparison of a patient's cells against healthy and sick reference
samples enables an exact diagnosis of disease at a very early stage and
provides physicians with essential information to help guide an appropriate
therapy. The combination of diagnosis and therapy, based on this information
and robust proprietary technology, is "personalizing" medicine. Epigenomics is
supported by a network of renowned academic researchers and clinicians, with
expertise in the fields of cancer and DNA methylation. The company has its
headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle,
USA. For further information, please visit our website at http://www.epigenomics.com.
SOURCE Epigenomics
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.epigenomics.com
CONTACT:
Dr. Kurt Berlin, +49-30-24345-0, or Florence
Danek, +49-30-24345-305, both of Epigenomics; or Mike Sinclair of
Burns McClellan, +44-20-7534-1521, for Epigenomics
|
