Cytocell Ltd Introduces New ROS1 Genetic Test for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

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• Publié par: cytocell-ltd
• Nombre de lectures: 16
• Langue: English

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Cytocell Ltd Introduces New ROS1 Genetic

Test for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, England, October 2, 2012

CAMBRIDGE, England

,

October 2, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

Cytocell Ltd. today announced the availability of a new molecular cytogenetic

test designed to identify the presence of gene rearrangements associated with

a specific form of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These rearrangements in

a gene known as ROS1 (c-ros oncogene 1) have been implicated in the

formation of cancerous tumors in patients with NSCLC.

Lung cancer is the world's leading cause of cancer death with more than 1.6

million new cases diagnosed each year. About 85 percent of lung cancer

patients have the non-small-cell type and are usually diagnosed with advanced

disease with a very low survival rate. ALK gene rearrangements have been

shown to respond to therapies that block the ALK pathway. Over 2 percent of

those patients are thought to have ROS1 gene rearrangements and have been

shown to respond to ALK/MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as

Xalkori

®

(crizotinib). The Cytocell ROS1 Breakapart FISH probe uses

Fluorescence

In Situ

Hybridization (FISH) technology to detect rearrangements

of the ROS1 gene on chromosome 6 in band 6q22 in tumors. The new Cytocell

assay will complement the existing Cytocell Pathology range which also includes

the equally important ALK Breakapart FISH probe. It is anticipated that both

FISH probes will be used for research, testing, and to support evaluations of

new therapies for NSCLC.

Dr Martin Lawrie, Managing Director of Cytocell stated, "Understanding the

mechanisms of lung cancer and developing new tests that further increase our

knowledge are key to our strategic focus at Cytocell. Through the utilisation of

Cytocell's BACs collection and the myProbes

®

customised probe service we

were firstly able to offer this probe to several key researchers before launching

it as a catalogue item."

About Cytocell Ltd.

Cytocell is a leading European developer and manufacturer of FISH probes for

use in both routine cytogenetics and in the analysis and classification of

Cancers. The Company's products are well established in Cytogenetics as the

Company is celebrating its 20

th

year of supplying them to this market. More

recently, the Company has focused on developing products for Oncology and

now has a catalogue of some 350 products for Cytogenetics, Haematology and

Solid Tumour analysis as well as developing custom FISH probes for customers

with specific interests under the myProbes

®

brand. Cytocell's products are

available through a well established distributor network, covering more than 60

countries worldwide. Cytocell's FISH probe service is currently proving to be

invaluable to cancer researchers and clinicians worldwide.

Cytocell's news releases and other information are available on the company's

Web site at http://www.cytocell.com.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Stewart Kennedy,

Tel: [phone]

Sales & Marketing Director