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Response Genetics, Inc. Announced Results of Pre-Clinical Studies on Gene Expression at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 April 2008, 18:00 CDT

Response Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGDX), a company focused on the development of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, presented several pre-clinical studies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2008 Annual Meeting in San Diego, April 12-16. Kathleen Danenberg, CEO and President of Response Genetics, Inc., co-presented several studies that highlight the gene expression technology and its role in identifying predictive markers in several types of cancer, including colorectal, pancreatic, and liver metastasis.

"Response Genetics worked collaboratively with several leading institutions in an ongoing effort to develop next-generation diagnostic tests," said Kathleen Danenberg, CEO and President of Response Genetics, Inc. "The results from these Response Genetics-directed studies will further expand genetic technology and its use in the therapeutic sector."

The AACR annual meeting draws approximately 17,000 participants from around the world to discuss new and significant discoveries in cancer research.

Response Genetics, Inc. presentation summaries are as follows:

Presentation (#4144): High Expression of HIF1a is a strong predictor of clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and correlated to PDGFA, VEGF and bFGF

Synopsis: Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis of all cancers with a five-year survival rate of five percent. Since only 10-20 percent of patients are eligible for complete resection with curative intent, further improvement in the treatment of this disease may have to come from the use of genetic markers that would classify patients into various risk categories in order to allow more individually adapted treatment regimens. In this study, we investigated the prognostic values of genes known to be involved in various processes of tumorigenesis: hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1a), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFA) gene expressions. Of these genes, high HIF1a mRNA expression had a significant impact on survival of pancreatic cancer patients (p=0.009). Thus, measurement of HIF1a in pancreatic cancer tissues may have the potential of becoming an additional prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer. Larger studies of the role of HIF1a including patients treated with chemotherapeutics are warranted.

Presentation (#4964): Co-purification and analysis of global gene expression and allele-specific copy number from a single microdissected FFPE sample in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Synopsis: Unlike numerous other tumor types, little is known about the expression and copy number patterns of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) primary tumors. This is due in large part to the difficulty obtaining tissue from this retroperitoneal organ, and the poor quality of nucleic acids obtained. Severe desmoplasia leads to stromal contamination and the extreme autodigestive properties often leads to degraded nucleic acids. Nevertheless, robust and accurate molecular measurements are essential in generating predictive and prognostic biomarkers in this disease.

Primary tumor samples are a valuable, limited resource. Genomic DNA and mRNA can be successfully and consistently co-isolated from a single microdissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample in PDA and analyzed for global expression and allele specific copy number. Gene expression reflects copy number as in samples extracted separately. FFPE MIP data compared favorably to non-microdissected, frozen tumor samples. This work maximizes data from rare samples and has implications for the personalization of treatment, prognosis studies and adjuvant clinical trial tissue analysis.

Presentation (#5404): Messenger RNA expression of COX-2 and angiogenic factors in primary colorectal cancer and corresponding liver metastasis

Synopsis: A number of recently developed drugs that are targeted at various angiogenic factors have shown considerable potential for controlling tumor proliferation and metastases. Since controlling liver metastases is considered an important strategy in treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), the measurement of genetic markers for drug response in liver metastases should provide the best prediction of therapy benefit. Yet, in many if not most cases, only biopsies of the patients' primary tumor are readily available for analysis. Thus, it would be important to know the relationship between levels of response determinants in the primary tumor and corresponding liver metastases to determine whether or not analysis of tissue biopsies of the primary tumor are useful for tumor response prediction. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between the mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in primary CRC and those in corresponding liver metastasis. We found positive correlations between the gene expressions of VEGF and IL-8 in primary tumors and in the corresponding matched liver metastases, whereas the gene expression of COX-2 in the primary tumors did not positively correlate with that in the metastases. These results suggest that primary tumor tissue may be used as a surrogate for liver metastases for VEGF and IL-8 expressions.

About the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

Each year, more than 17,000 participants from 60 countries gather to discuss an estimated 6,000 abstracts and to hear more than 500 invited presentations on new and significant discoveries in basic, clinical, and translational cancer research. Scientific award lectures, grant writing workshops, networking events, and educational sessions round out the comprehensive program.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. ("RGI") (the "Company") (NASDAQ: RGDX) is engaged in the research and development of pharmacogenomic cancer diagnostic tests based on its proprietary and patented technologies. RGI's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information from genes derived from tumor samples stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded specimens. RGI currently generates revenue primarily from the sales of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company was founded in 1999 and its principal headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.responsegenetics.com.

Forward Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of RGI related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company to analyze cancer samples, the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, the ability of the Company to make its ResponseDx:Lung™ and ResponseDX:Colon™ tests available in a number of institutions, and other statements identified by words such as "projects,""may,""could,""would,""should,""believes,""expects,""anticipates,""estimates,""intends,""plans" or similar expressions.

These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, including, without limitation, actual sales results, if any, or the application of funds, may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Business Wire

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