Epigenomics develops technique for sensitive early detection of cancer
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 biospsies. 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."
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