diaDexus Launches Collaboration to Evaluate the Role of Breast Tumor Genes in the Treatment of Breast Cancer.SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO South San Francisco, city (1990 pop. 54,312), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1908. South San Francisco has several industrial parks; its manufactures include medical supplies and equipment, foods, paint, paper products, consumer goods, and clothing. , Calif. -- diaDexus, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company, announced a collaboration with Mayo Validation Support Services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services to investigate a test featuring a select panel of tumor-specific genes to aid in patient risk stratification risk stratification Medical decision-making The constellation of activities–eg, lab and clinical testing used to determine a person's risk for suffering a particular condition and need–or lack thereof–for preventive intervention and assist in chemotherapy treatment decisions for breast cancer patients. The test uses gene expression profiling to predict recurrence of malignancy in patients diagnosed with primary invasive early stage breast cancer. Previous study data presented by diaDexus at the 2005 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium demonstrated that a set of eight genes were differentially expressed in patients who presented with progressive disease, compared with those who were disease-free after a median follow-up of 70 months, suggesting that the PCR-based test involving these genes warrants additional investigation into its utility in identifying patients at higher risk for recurrence. The Mayo collaboration is part of diaDexus' molecular diagnostics program focused on developing tests to aid in the prognosis and staging of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. PCR PCR polymerase chain reaction. PCR abbr. polymerase chain reaction Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (polymerase chain reaction polymerase chain reaction (pŏl`ĭmərās') (PCR), laboratory process in which a particular DNA segment from a mixture of DNA chains is rapidly replicated, producing a large, readily analyzed sample of a piece of DNA; the process is ) is a technique for amplifying DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. or RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic sequences in a laboratory in order to facilitate diagnostic testing or research. In this larger confirmatory study with Mayo Validation Support Services, diaDexus investigators will evaluate whether the test, which includes the previously identified eight genes in addition to others, can help provide breast cancer patients with personalized prognostic information. This critical information may help physicians determine the need for chemotherapy and help improve cancer management. The study will include tumor samples from 60 breast cancer patients who have been tracked for up to 10 years following diagnosis and initial treatment. Comparisons will be made between "good outcome" patients who showed no disease progression during 5-10 years of follow-up (30 cases), and "poor outcome" patients whose disease progressed within five years of surgery (30 cases). A control group will consist of six normal breast tissue samples. According to Roberto Macina, diaDexus' director of molecular technology, the study is a significant step in testing the value of diaDexus' extensive cancer diagnostic portfolio for the management of breast cancer. "Our goal is to provide physicians and cancer patients with clinically valuable information that will help identify those patients with a poor prognosis who would benefit from chemotherapy, while helping to avoid chemotherapy--and its often-debilitating side effects--in those predicted to have good outcomes," Macina said. About Mayo Validation Support Services Mayo Validation Support Services, an affiliate of Mayo Clinic, based in Rochester, Minn., assists pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic companies in the preclinical validation of promising targets, lead compounds, biomarkers, and tests. Mayo's contribution of well-annotated biospecimens and clinical follow-up data support the development of individualized medicine, one of Mayo's strategic initiatives. About diaDexus diaDexus, Inc., based in South San Francisco, is focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of clinically valuable, patent-protected diagnostic products. In addition to its cancer diagnostics program, the company's first commercial product focuses on heart disease and stroke risk. The PLAC PLAC Public Library Access Card PLAC Product Liability Advisory Council, Inc. PLAC Pattern Languages: Addressing Challenges ([R]) test is a simple blood test that measures levels of a new risk factor for coronary heart disease coronary heart disease: see coronary artery disease. coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease Progressive reduction of blood supply to the heart muscle due to narrowing or blocking of a coronary artery (see atherosclerosis). and stroke-lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory marker implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. in the formation of vulnerable, rupture-prone plaque. For more information, visit www.plactest.com or www.diaDexus.com. |
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