Genzyme Genetics to Provide Testing for Important Cancer and Leukemia Group
B Study
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genzyme Genetics,
a business unit of Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ), announced today its
participation in a Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) study sponsored by
the National Cancer Institute. The multi-center study will include 1,700
newly diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is
designed to test the hypothesis that early treatment of patients with
certain negative risk factors leads to longer survival. Genzyme will
perform the IgVH mutation analysis for the study.
"This study is critical in helping us to understand the natural history
of CLL with respect to early versus delayed progression," said John Byrd,
director of hematologic malignancies & co-director, Division of Hematology-
Oncology, Department of Medicine, Ohio State University and a primary
investigator in the study. "We chose Genzyme to perform the IgVH analysis
because of its expertise in molecular testing."
IgVH is an independent prognostic marker which can be utilized to
segregate patients within all stages of CLL. Studies show that CLL patients
with mutations in their IgVH gene have a longer median survival (293
months) than CLL patients without these mutations (117 months).
Approximately 50 to 70 percent of patients with CLL have evidence of these
mutations. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends IgVH
Mutation Analysis for patients diagnosed with CLL. The assay can be
performed on either peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirate. Genzyme
launched its IgVH mutation analysis test in February, 2007.
"CLL is typically a slowly progressing cancer but up to 30 percent of
patients with CLL progress rapidly," said Mara Aspinall, president of
Genzyme Genetics. "By proactively testing for the IgVH mutation soon after
initial diagnosis, doctors can identify high-risk patients and consider
starting treatment earlier, possibly resulting in patients living longer."
Richard L. Schilsky, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of
Chicago and chairman of the CALGB commented, "CALGB is pleased to partner
with Genzyme in this important and novel study that will help to
individualize the treatment of CLL."
Genzyme's participation in this study reinforces the company's
commitment to furthering the role of diagnostics in the area of
personalized medicine. Genzyme has been addressing the need for
personalized treatment by developing tests to help physicians select
appropriate therapies for their patients. Today Genzyme offers 18
innovative tests to help physicians guide treatment and save critical time
for their patients with cancer.
The CALGB study will be open to its affiliate centers in the United
States as well as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and Southwest Oncology
Group sites.
About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
CLL is the most prevalent form of adult leukemia, affecting
approximately 120,000 people in Europe and the United States. The disease
is most commonly diagnosed among people age 50 or older. CLL is
characterized by the accumulation of functionally immature white blood
cells (lymphocytes) in the bone marrow, blood, lymph tissue, and other
organs. Two types of lymphocytes are present in the blood, B cells and T
cells. About 95 percent of CLL cases involve cancerous B cells. Because
these B cells have a longer than normal life span, they begin to build up
and "crowd out" the normal, healthy blood cells. The accumulation of
functionally immature cells in the bone marrow excludes the generation of
healthy cells and can become fatal. Symptoms include fatigue, bone pain,
night sweats, fevers, and decreased appetite and weight loss. Bone marrow
involvement also leads to weakening of the immune system, exposing the
patient to a higher risk of infection.
About Genzyme Genetics
Genzyme Genetics is a leading, nationwide provider of high quality
genetic testing and genetic counseling services for physicians and their
patients. With laboratories and counseling facilities located across the
U.S., Genzyme Genetics offers extensive reproductive and cancer testing
services, supported by innovative technology and a commitment to quality
service and trusted information. Genzyme Genetics is a business unit of
Genzyme Corporation.
About the Cancer and Leukemia Group B
The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) is a national cooperative group
of 29 of the country's most prestigious medical centers, and more than 250
affiliated institutions and 3,000 oncology specialists, working together on
large-scale cancer clinical trials. Sponsored by the National Cancer
Institute (NCI), the CALGB is headquartered with its Central Office at the
University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, and its Statistical Center at
Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
About Genzyme
One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is
dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with
serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up
to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,500 employees in locations
spanning the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. In 2007, Genzyme was
chosen to receive the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor
awarded by the President of the United States for technological innovation.
In 2006 and 2007, Genzyme was selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best
Companies to Work for" in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in nearly
90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the
most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and
services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease,
orthopaedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's
commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development
program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious
disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.
Genzyme(R) is a registered trademark of Genzyme Corporation. All rights
reserved.
Genzyme's press releases and other company information are available at
http://www.genzyme.com and by calling Genzyme's investor information line at
1-800-905-4369 within the United States or 1-678-999-4572 outside the
United States.
Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Sarah Millerick Patrick Flanigan
(617) 768-6438 (617) 768-6563
SOURCE Genzyme Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.genzyme.com/
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CONTACT:
Media, Sarah Millerick, +1-617-768-6438, or
Investors, Patrick Flanigan, +1-617-768-6563, both of Genzyme
Corporation
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