Study reported in BMC Gastroenterology shows significantly better performance characteristics of Epigenomics’ liver cancer panel compared to the current standard of care for the early detection of HCC

Study reported in BMC Gastroenterology demonstrates significantly better performance characteristics of Epigenomics’ liver cancer panel compared to the current standard of care for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis

• The Epigenomics next generation sequencing (NGS) liver cancer panel plus alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) had a sensitivity of 68% at a specificity of 97% compared to the current standard of care (ultrasound and AFP) of 63% sensitivity and 84% specificity
• Hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis, particularly due to lack of early detection

Berlin (Germany) and San Diego, CA (U.S.A.), April 6, 2021 – Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX, OTCQX: EPGNY; the “Company”) announces that a study recently published in BMC Gastroenterology shows that the Epigenomics new liver cancer panel represents a new and valuable alternative for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer, HCC) in cirrhotic patients.

Greg Hamilton, CEO of Epigenomics AG, commented: “HCC is in the top 10 of most common cancers in both men and women worldwide, occurring in approximately 4.5 million U.S. adults. In addition, HCC is considered the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide with more than 780,000 deaths annually. However, early detection offers a good chance of curative treatment. The performance of the currently recommended surveillance methods, however, are suboptimal, as are the low participation rates in surveillance. In this respect, we are very pleased with the results of the study, as it demonstrates that our liver cancer panel can address the significant clinical need for novel minimally invasive testing to aid in the detection of HCC at an early stage, and thus save lives.”

The study compared patients with cirrhosis who had early-stage treatable liver cancer with patients having cirrhosis but no cancer. As reported in the study, when combined with AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) measurement in an ad hoc analysis, the new Epigenomics Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel achieved a sensitivity of 68 % at a specificity of 97 %.

The current standard of care for HCC surveillance is ultrasound plus AFP with a sensitivity of 63% and a specificity of 84%. Consequently, the Epigenomics’ blood-based panel provides a very simple and affordable method that may improve clinical performance and could be particularly applicable in settings where resources for surveillance by imaging may be limited. Such a blood test can help detect HCC at an early stage and thus prevent cancer-related deaths, because after all, patients’ chances of survival decrease rapidly if the disease is detected late.

About Epigenomics
Epigenomics AG is a molecular diagnostics company focused on blood testing for the early detection of cancer. Based on its proprietary biomarker technology for the detection of methylated DNA, Epigenomics develops and markets blood tests for various cancer indications with high unmet medical need. Epigenomics’ lead product is the blood test Epi proColon(R) for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Epi proColon is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is marketed in the United States and Europe as well as other selected countries. HCCBloodTest, a blood test for the detection of liver cancer, have received the CE Mark for marketing in Europe.

For further information please visit www.epigenomics.com.
 

Contact:
Company
Epigenomics AG, Geneststrasse 5, 10829 Berlin,
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 0, Fax +49 (0) 30 24345 555, E-Mail: contact@epigenomics.com

Investor Relations
IR.on AG, Frederic Hilke, Tel +49 221 9140 970, E-Mail: ir@epigenomics.com

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