Biocept, an emerging leader in
biotechnology, is initiating a collaborative study with the University of
Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to investigate the ability to isolate
circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood. The study will use Biocept's
proprietary CEE(TM) (Cell Enrichment and Extraction) technology, designed
to capture rare cells from a larger heterogeneous cell population. The
focus of this study is ovarian cancer.
"This innovation in rare cell capture offers an enhanced opportunity to
detect circulating ovarian cancer cells," says principal investigator Anil
Sood, MD. "The goal is to provide more powerful tools to monitor the
response to treatment, improve early detection and personalize prognosis
for our patients."
The study has three goals: to optimize detection and isolation of
circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in ovarian cancer patients, to quantify the
levels of CTCs in patients with primary or recurrent ovarian cancer, and to
compare gene profiles between CTCs and primary tumor specimens. The
findings could provide valuable insight towards treatment planning and
identification of novel biologic targets.
"We hope that our ability to isolate and quantify circulating tumor
cells will improve cancer detection and treatment by giving physicians
valuable information early in the disease course," says Gordon Janko,
president and CEO of Biocept.
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female
reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian
cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the
cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer
that begins in egg cells). In 2007, there will be an estimated 22,430 new
cases and 15,280 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States.
About Biocept
Biocept, an emerging biotechnology leader, engineers novel solutions
that provide the foundation for a new class of diagnostics assays for
prenatal and oncology applications. Its proprietary CEE(TM) Cell Enrichment
and Extraction platform combines sophisticated attachment chemistry with
mathematically modeled fluid dynamics. This proprietary technology enables
earlier, accurate, less invasive diagnoses. Isolation, purification and
analysis of rare cells are managed within our state-of-the-art
CLIA-accredited laboratory. Founded in 1997, Biocept is privately held and
is based in San Diego, California.
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