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Subj: Ultra-Sensitive Breast Cancer Blood Test Developed
Date: 98-02-20 17:17:44 EST
From: AOL News
BCC: Wesley0428
Ultra-Sensitive Breast Cancer Blood Test Developed
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunicon Corporation has developed a rapid and ultra-sensitive blood test for detection and monitoring of breast cancer. The blood test functions at the break-through detection level of 1 tumor cell in 20 million white blood cells. Oncologists collaborating with Immunicon Scientists believe it is the most significant discovery in cancer in the past 25 years. In studies on more than sixty breast cancer patients done with two major medical centers, the test was able to detect small numbers of tumor cells in the blood of women with very early stage breast tumors and greater numbers in those with advancing disease. In a 12 month study of selected patients, it was discovered that when disease worsened, or when patients did not respond to treatment, the numbers of tumor cells in blood increased. When treatment was effective, tumor cell levels dropped. In several instances, tumor cells were found in women thought to be in complete remission. Subsequent, more in-depth clinical reexamination showed that these patients were, indeed, relapsing. Although the test will have to be validated on large numbers of patients and in well controlled studies, no test developed to date has the promise of the Immunicon test.
The cancer test works by isolating tumor cells directly from blood in a way that they can accurately be counted and analyzed by standard pathology procedures. This means that the test can be used in conjunction with biopsies or in some cases in place of them. The blood test will be positive when there are as few as 1,000 tumor cells in the entire circulation. In the event that breast tumor cells shed from very small tumors, the test may replace or augment mammography for screening. Unlike mammography, the blood test does not expose the patient to potentially dangerous radiation. The lack of radiation exposure and the extraordinary sensitivity of the Immunicon test could make it a primary means for breast cancer screening, particularly for women who are at high risk for cancer. Based on the test's sensitivity and the fact that it is a blood test which may detect many other cancers, Immunicon's cancer test is being referred to as a "whole body biopsy" by clinicians involved in the testing.
The cancer blood test was developed by a team led by Immunicon's Director of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Leon Terstappen. Dr. Terstappen is regarded as an international authority on cell analysis and flow cytometry technology. The test uses magnetic liquids and devices invented by the Company's founder and CEO, Dr. Paul Liberti. Immunicon, whose focus is cell diagnostics, will make its cancer blood test available to Clinical Researchers by June. The test is currently being evaluated on prostate cancer patients. Early results are very promising. The Company will continue to refine its Cancer Blood Test and determine its applicability to lung, colon, ovarian and pancreatic cancers and melanoma. In a parallel program, Immunicon is developing a fully automated instrument which can perform all of the relevant analytical tests for its cancer cell blood test. Immunicon is a privately held biotechnology firm that was founded out of Thomas Jefferson University Medical School.
SOURCE Immunicon Corporation
CO: Immunicon Corporation
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: MTC
SU:
02/20/98 17:15 EST prnewswire.com |
