Researchers Pinpoint Origins of Tumors Using MicroRNAs
Posted on: Monday, 24 March 2008, 10:31 CDT
Results of a recent study have led researchers to discover a method of identifying the source of unfamiliar cancers.Rosetta Genomics Ltd., an Israel-based firm, reported that it is currently developing the technology to be used in diagnosing Cancer of Unknown Primary, also known as CUP. The team reported its findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Nitzan Rosenfeld and colleagues at Rosetta used microRNAs, a type of recently discovered genetic material that regulates genes involved in cancer, as markers they hope will be applied to diagnostic testing in patients with CUP.
"Accurately identifying the origin of a metastasis in CUP patients can be critical for determining appropriate treatment, and currently presents a true unmet diagnostic need for patients and physicians," Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics said in a statement.
They reported successfully identifying the source of tumors in two-thirds of cases . Overall, the team studied 400 samples of 22 different tumor tissues and metastases.
"This research demonstrates the tremendous potential of microRNAs as effective biomarkers, and is a significant step towards the development of the first microRNA-based diagnostic tests."
Dr. Martin Raber of the University of Texas Anderson Center in Houston said that finding the origin of a cancer is the key to effective treatment.
"But there is a group of patients who have tumors that appear in a metastatic site which, with the best imaging, you can't find a primary tumor," said Raber, who was not involved in the study.
"Today we have specific chemotherapies. We have therapies for colon cancer that don't seem to work in other settings," Raber said. "You can no longer design one regimen that captures all tumors."
Founded in 2000, Rosetta Genomics is currently developing a range of microRNA-based tools with a primary focus on cancer and women’s health. The company said it hopes to launch the first microRNA diagnostic tests applying its technology in the U.S. this year.
About 70,000 people are diagnosed with CUP in the U.S. each year. Previous tests to pinpoint the origin of such cancers have concluded with no noteworthy results.
"At the end of the day as a doctor I don't really care if my unknown primary tumor patient had breast cancer, colon cancer or lung cancer," said Raber, who has spoken with Rosetta about the test.
"All I really care about is what treatment will my patient respond to.”
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On the Net:
Rosetta Genomics Ltd.
Nature Biotechnology
Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports
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