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Epigenomics develops technique for sensitive early detection of cancer
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| Date: Tuesday, 20.01.2004 |
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| Press release |
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Epigenomics, a transatlantic biotechnology company, announced today the publication of one of its proprietary technologies for the early detection of cancer in "Nucleic Acids Research" (NAR) on January 12. Developed at Epigenomics, the technique called HeavyMethyl selectively amplifies aberrant methylation patterns, i.e. tumor markers, in body fluids but not normal methylation signals, thus potentially enabling early diagnosis of cancer without the need to take biopsies. As described in the paper, Heavy Methyl is sensitive enough to amplify as little as 30 pg (10 aberrantly methylated molecules) of methylated DNA. DNA-methylation is a natural "switch" that controls gene expression giving rise to distinct patterns in cells including cancer and other diseased cells.
Epigenomics is using this technology in its product development for early detection and molecular classification as well as monitoring tests in oncology and other disease areas.
"We have shown that we have developed a technology that has a very high potential for early detection of cancer based on a new type of molecular marker, DNA-methylation", comments Kurt Berlin, CSO of Epigenomics. "In our hands, the technology has shown superior robustness and sensitivity compared to other techniques."
Epigenomics is committed to personalizing medicine in cancer and other complex diseases by developing novel diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic products. By detecting and interpreting digitized DNA methylation patterns, the \"on\" and \"off\" signs for genes, Epigenomics enables an exact diagnosis of disease at very early stages and helps select an appropriate therapy.
Epigenomics collaborates with Roche for the development of several diagnostic and pharmacodiagnostic products in cancer. Epigenomics also spearheads the Human Epigenome Project (www.epigenome.org) in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the Centre National de Génotypage (CNG). The company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For more information, please visit our website at www.epigenomics.com.
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