In a recent report form the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), titled “Clinical Cancer Advances 2015: Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology”, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Gensignia scientific co-founders’ research was recognized.
Gabriella Sozzi, Ph.D., Mattia Boeri, Ph.D., and Ugo Pastorino, M.D., are recognized for their finding that evaluates specific microRNAs in patient’s blood who are considered at high risk of having lung cancer. This type of molecular assay can help to accurately determine the probability that this malignancy is already present or is starting to develop.
The team developed their innovative assay after screening high-risk patients using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans, to identify possible lung tumor masses.
The report states that “Additional recent research will help improve the efficacy of low-dose CT lung cancer screening and reduce potential harms by identifying the populations that stand to benefit the most from screening, and developing ways to reduce false-positive screening results. A recent study addressed the problem of false-positive findings by developing a new diagnostic blood test for lung cancer (this study was funded in part by a grant from the NIH). The experimental test is noninvasive; it only requires a blood sample, rather than a potentially painful and risky biopsy. By analyzing molecules called microRNA in a patient’s blood, physicians can determine if the abnormality detected on a scan is truly lung cancer. In a large validation study, combination of the microRNA test and low-dose CT resulted in a five-fold reduction of false-positive screening rates (from 19.4% to 3.7%).”
This lung cancer assay was confirmed in a large clinical trial that concluded the MSC Lung Cancer assay was predictive and had a significant diagnostic and prognostic value, reducing false-positive rates and improving the efficiency of lung cancer screening.
“We are honored to have Drs. Sozzi, Boeri and our team’s research included by ASCO as one of the most important cancer research advances in 2014,” Ugo Pastorino, M.D., Scientific Director, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, and Gensignia co-founder, said in a press release.
Lee R. McCracken, Gensignia’s Chief Executive Officer, added “We are truly appreciative of ASCO’s acknowledgment of Gensignia’s clinical research and are committed to bringing the Gensignia™ miRNA Signature Classifier (MSC) Lung Cancer Test into clinical practice to improve lung cancer detection worldwide.”
