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Epigenomics and Mayo Clinic collaborate on test for early detection of colorectal cancer
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| Date: Tuesday, 05.11.2002 |
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| Press release, Berlin, Germany and Seattle, WA, and Rochester, MN, USA |
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Epigenomics AG, a transatlantic biotech company personalizing medicine, and Mayo Clinic today announced the signing of a two-year collaboration to identify and validate a panel of DNA methylation-based markers that would be applied in a test to improve the early detection of colorectal cancer. 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. Based on these methylation patterns, cancer may be detected and classified from tissue and bodily fluids, such as blood serum or urine samples.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mayo Clinic will provide Epigenomics with samples of clinical material (solid and fluid) from well-characterized patient populations. Researchers from Mayo Clinic will work closely with Epigenomics to define clinical subgroups and research strategy. "Colon cancer is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment as patients often do not present symptoms until the disease is advanced," notes Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist David Ahlquist, M.D. "Colonoscopy screening is effective, but it is not used as broadly as it could be. A simple, accurate and non-invasive test that involves less patient discomfort could help detect more cancers at an earlier stage."
Colon cancer is the second most common cancer, killing almost 100,000 in the EU and 60,000 in the US every year. If detected early enough, colon cancer can be treated successfully.
Epigenomics will initially utilize samples provided by the Mayo Clinic to confirm candidate methylation markers that have previously been identified using its proprietary marker discovery process. Methylation markers that consistently detect all stages of colorectal cancer will be determined by comparing DNA-methylation patterns of healthy versus diseased tissue using Epigenomics’ high-throughput array analysis technology. Resulting markers will lead to a pre-validated marker panel that will be tested in body fluids and could eventually be developed into an early screening test.
"It is a great honor for Epigenomics to work with one of the premier research clinics in the world and with one of the most prominent gastroenterologists," says Alexander Olek, CEO of Epigenomics. "Mayo Clinic’s extensive patient cohorts and medical expertise combined with our DNA-methylation based technology has the potential to lead to a revolutionizing colon cancer early screening test and eventually save many lives."
Epigenomics is a transatlantic biotechnology company pioneering tomorrow\'s personalized medicines. By detecting DNA methylation patterns, the \"on\" and \"off\" signs for genes, Epigenomics can create a digitized readout (Digital Phenotype®) for each tissue. The comparison of healthy and sick tissue enables an exact diagnosis of disease at a very early stage and reveals new therapeutic opportunities. The combination of diagnosis and therapy, based on this epigenetic information and our robust proprietary technology, is leading the way to improving patients\' quality of life. Epigenomics is the world\'s first and only company focusing exclusively on DNA methylation and its importance in the post-genomic age, and is supported by the world\'s premier network of academic researchers and clinicians with expertise in the field of cancer and DNA methylation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, Washington, USA, For further information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.
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