Biodesix announces patient enrollment for VeriStrat CASTLE study in lung cancer

BiodesixApr 29 2011

Biodesix announces the enrollment of initial subjects into CASTLE, the inaugural study of the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI, pronounced as "Alchemy"). The CASTLE (Collaborative Advanced Stage Tissue Lung Cancer) study is recruiting a minimum of 250 subjects over two years among academic and community medical centers in the United States. The study collects biospecimens and data from lung cancer patients in order to facilitate and accelerate the development and delivery of diagnostic tests and treatments tailored to the individual patient. As part of the study, Biodesix is performing VeriStrat® testing on eligible patients and serving as ALCMI's biorepository for all serum samples collected from CASTLE study subjects for future research. VeriStrat is a serum proteomic test for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients that helps physicians determine if a patient should receive treatment with a drug called erlotinib.

Biodesix is committed to advancing the field of personalized medicine by developing unique and clinically useful diagnostic tests in oncology. This collaboration is the first of its kind in bringing together leading lung cancer scientists in the U.S. and Europe, patient advocates, and diagnostic laboratories to collect biospecimens with the intent of developing personalized therapies and tests that could improve patient outcomes. "We are pleased to offer the only serum-based testing for the CASTLE study and play an integral role in this collaboration" commented Paul Beresford, Biodesix' Vice President in charge of the company's laboratory operations. "We look forward to supporting our ALCMI colleagues in their efforts to accelerate translational medicine in lung cancer and continuing to shift the standard of care toward widespread use of molecular testing in clinical decision-making."