Apr 5 2010
Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ:ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that starting April 1, 2010 physicians are able to send FNA cell block samples to Rosetta Genomics' CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Philadelphia for analysis using Rosetta's miRview squamous test. FNA is a less invasive method to obtain tumor cells compared with tumor resections or biopsies. This breakthrough will enable patients and physicians to benefit from a highly accurate diagnostic assay without having to undergo a more invasive procedure.
“This improvement is an excellent example of how by adapting our proprietary miRNA-based technologies to be used on FNA cell block specimens, our highly accurate miRview squamous assay can be made available to more patients suffering from lung cancer”
miRview squamous is a molecular diagnostic test that measures the expression level of a single microRNA to accurately differentiate squamous from non-squamous NSCLC. The test offers patients and physicians a highly accurate diagnostic tool that produces standardized and reproducible results.
"Enabling physicians to subclassify NSCLC tumors with miRview squamous based on FNA cell blocks, without the need for more invasive procedures, brings significant value to lung cancer patient management," noted Dr. Tina Edmonston, Director of Rosetta Genomics' CLIA-certified laboratory. "As pathologists, we are often faced with challenges especially when trying to subclassify poorly differentiated NSCLCs. However, correct subclassification is crucial to determine the treatment of the patient. We believe this new capability will help physicians better address this issue."
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the U.S., killing more than 160,000 Americans annually. In over 60,000 of these patients with NSCLC, identification of the squamous sub-type has significant clinical implications. Squamous lung cancer carries increased risk of severe or fatal bleeding for certain targeted biological therapies, including bevacizumab (Avastin™) and other drugs under development. Other approved therapies, such as pemetrexed (Alimta™) are indicated for non-squamous NSCLC only.
"This improvement is an excellent example of how by adapting our proprietary miRNA-based technologies to be used on FNA cell block specimens, our highly accurate miRview squamous assay can be made available to more patients suffering from lung cancer," stated Ken Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics.
In a recently published study in Clinical Cancer Research, Johns Hopkins University researchers demonstrated that miRview squamous correctly subclassified 95% of FNA cell block specimens and small biopsies originally diagnosed as poorly differentiated NSCLC into squamous and non-squamous cell carcinoma.
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