Onconome, Inc., a privately held
Seattle-based biotechnology company, today announced the publication of a
research study conducted at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine under the
direction of Robert Getzenberg, Ph.D., professor of urology and director of
research at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. The study
relates to two newly discovered blood proteins, CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 (Colon
Cancer Specific Antigen 3 & 4) that could provide an additional tool to
help clinicians determine the necessity and frequency of colonoscopy.
According to the Hopkins study, which is published in the June 15 issue
of Cancer Research, measuring CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 protein levels in blood
serum demonstrated a high level of accuracy in correctly identifying colon
cancer patients, versus non-cancer patients and patients with cancers other
than colon.
The study involved 260 individuals; including 28 with confirmed cases
of colorectal cancer, 125 with various other forms of cancer and benign
diseases and 107 healthy individuals. The Hopkins team analyzed the results
and were able to correctly identify 100% of the existing cancers from the
total group.
"The results from the Johns Hopkins University research study indicate
that the measurement of the CCSA-3 and CCSA-4 proteins in serum could
significantly enhance the early diagnosis of colon cancer once the test is
widely available" says Ray Cairncross, Chief Executive Officer and
Co-Founder of Onconome, Inc. "As exclusive licensee, Onconome will focus on
continuing the work done at Johns Hopkins and on developing a blood test
for FDA approval and routine clinical use" continued Cairncross.
The study was underwritten by a grant from Onconome, Inc. that holds
exclusive, worldwide rights to the technology.
A Promising Advancement in Testing
Current colon cancer screening guidelines for healthy people recommend
that a baseline colonoscopy be performed at age 50 to detect any
abnormalities. The procedure involves colonic cleansing, fasting and heavy
sedation prior to the deployment of a flexible, optical-scanning scope
through the rectum into the colon. Colonoscopy, which is expensive and
uncomfortable, is recommended to be repeated every 5-10 years. An
inexpensive and accurate blood test as may be developed using the CCSA-4
protein, could be used to help identify those who would benefit from the
more invasive colonoscopy and reduce the number of unwarranted procedures.
About Onconome, Inc.
Onconome, Inc. (Seattle, WA) was incorporated in 2000 as a biomedical
company committed to the discovery and commercialization of products for
the early detection of prostate, colon, and other types of cancer and life-
threatening human diseases. Through its licensing arrangements with both
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of
Pittsburgh, Onconome has obtained exclusive, worldwide rights to the use
and development of numerous protein markers for the early diagnosis of
cancer as well as for drug screening and in vivo imaging. Under a Contract
Research Agreement, Onconome funds the discovery and development of these
markers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The Company will also utilize its novel, proteomic technologies to
assist pharmaceutical companies in their efforts to develop cancer
therapies and to select clinical trial candidates and will collaborate with
in-vivo imaging and targeted therapeutics companies to improve detection
and treatment of disease.
Onconome, Inc.
onconome