Top 10 Clinical News Articles
Cancer biomarkers, precision medicine and miRNA
26 Jul 2015
Cancer biomarkers, precision medicine and miRNA
Discover more about AACC 2015, pancreatic cancer prognosis and diagnosing monoclonal gammopathies.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna presented a scientific poster at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual meeting, combining the novel microfluidic Parsortix™ technology with qPCR, enabling the molecular analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) implicated in ovarian and breast cancer. The Parsortix system is currently for research use only, and not for use as an in vitro diagnostic. However, this new technique will allow the implementation of ‘liquid biopsies’ in cancer detection studies and as a companion diagnostic in clinical trials.
2. Pfizer Inaugurates Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine in Chile with Strong Focus on Genomics
The Center of Excellence in Precision Medicine (CEPM, for its Spanish acronym), one-of-its-kind in Latin America, will initially focus on validating new technologies of molecular cancer diagnosis that are more exact and less invasive. In its first stage, CEPM’s research will focus on the field of lung oncology, seeking to validate new technology platforms for molecular diagnostics based on next-generation genomic sequencing.
3. The Role of Free Light Chains in the Diagnosis of Monoclonal Gammopathies
At the recent 7th International Symposium on Clinical Applications of Free Light Chain and Heavy/Light Chain Analysis, hosted by The Binding Site, Professor Jerry Katzmann gave a talk on the role of free light chains in the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathies. The Binding Site Freelite® assay, launched in 2000, offers a highly sensitive and specific assay for measuring free light chains (FLCs) in serum.
4. Siemens Showcases New Clinical and Workflow IVD Solutions at AACC 2015
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics will reveal its latest in vitro diagnostic solutions—including the recently FDA-cleared ADVIA Centaur XPT Immunoassay System—at AACC 2015, Atlanta, July 26–30 (Booth 1409). The booth will highlight how Siemens’ customers around the world are achieving their clinical and workflow goals.
5. miRNA as Cancer Biomarkers: Overcoming the Challenges of Quantifying Free-Circulating miRNA
The analysis of epigenetic changes in cancer patients that can be measured non-invasively could hold great importance for the early diagnosis and monitoring of human cancers. Previous research has identified a relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) circulating in the blood and cancer, highlighting miRNAs as a potential biomarker for the disease. SelectScience spoke to Dr Manuela Ferracin, Post-Doctoral Researcher in the lab of Dr Massimo Negrini at the University of Ferrara, Italy, about how she uses the Bio-Rad QX200™ Droplet Digital™ PCR System to address the issues associated with the quantification of circulating miRNA.
6. Leading Healthcare Professionals to Convene for World's Largest Laboratory Science Meeting
The AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo is the leading event for laboratory medicine worldwide and is the place where breakthrough innovations in clinical testing and patient care are introduced to the healthcare community. With more than 400 educational sessions covering subjects including personalized medicine, infectious diseases and laboratory developed tests, this year's meeting promises to be the most exciting yet.
7. Artel to Hold Popular Pipetting Challenge at 2015 AACC Clinical Lab Expo!
Artel, the leader in liquid handling quality assurance, will hold its popular Pipetting Challenge again this year in the company’s booth at AACC 2015. The competition, held annually since 1997, helps professionals test and improve their critical pipetting skills while competing for daily prizes including medals, new pipettes and the grand prize of an iPad Mini. Eppendorf, Gilson, Hamilton and Sartorius are the four manufacturers providing pipettes for the event.
8. Sartorius Stedim Biotech Expands Service Offering for Process Development
Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international supplier for the pharma and biotech industries, has acquired Cellca GmbH based in Laupheim, Germany. Through the acquirement of Cellca GmbH, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is further expanding its service offering for process development.
9. EKF Diagnostics: In Profile
Five years ago, EKF Diagnostics was a specialist manufacturer of a small range of blood analyzers with niches in diabetes, sport medicine and blood banking. Today, the company's expertise now extends across three core divisions, with recent studies highlighting the involvement of EKF's Molecular division in one of the most exciting clinical developments of the year, liquid biopsies for cancer diagnostics. PointMan works by enriching the DNA sample for the point-mutated sequence, using a simple reagent set that combines with standard DNA extracts and runs on a real time thermocycler platform.
Personal Genome Diagnostics, Inc. (PGDx), a provider of advanced cancer genome analysis and testing services, has announced the publication of a study that has uncovered important new genetic information relevant to the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, the deadliest of all solid tumor cancers. PGDx conducted the whole exome sequencing and provided analyses of targeted cancer panels for the study in collaboration with researchers from Johns Hopkins University and other leading U.S. and international cancer centers.