Research Collaboration on Methylation Markers

Epigenomics (Frankfurt, Germany), a molecular diagnostics company that develops tests based on DNA methylation, has entered into a research collaboration with Stanford University (Stanford, CA, USA). Under terms of the agreement, Epigenomics and the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford will determine potential benefits for the use of DNA methylation markers and molecular imaging in detecting colorectal cancer.

DNA methylation occurs in distinct patterns in mammalian cells and often differs in healthy and diseased tissues. Changes in these patterns have been identified as markers for diseases such as cancer and for predicting response to drug treatment. The presence of methylation is responsible for controlling activity of genes by turning them off. By measuring methylation patterns, a change in gene activity that could trigger cancer can be detected.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a three-dimensional imaging technique for cancer that uses a tracer that is taken up by most cells but is retained by cancer tissue. Most PET scans are performed as FDG-PET scans using 18F fluorodeoxyglucose as the tracer.

"FDG-PET scans have a sensitivity of about 85% and a specificity of 71% in the initial diagnosis and staging of colorectal cancer patients, while our DNA methylation marker has sensitivity between 50% and 65% and a specificity of 95% in the same location,” said Dr. Cathy Lofton-Day of Epigenomics. "We therefore would like to find out whether the combination of both methods will increase the sensitivity and specificity of colorectal cancer detection. The study will also help us to identify new potential scenarios for clinical uses of our technology.”



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Epigenomics
Stanford University