The Study Will Compare the Results of Rosetta Genomics' microRNA-based Test, miRview(TM) Squamous, Which Differentiates Squamous From non Squamous non Small Cell Lung Cancer, With Current Diagnostic Methods
A Test Based on the miRview(TM) Technology First Approved for Clinical use Through Columbia University's High Complexity Molecular Pathology Lab Earlier This Year
Rosetta Genomics is Expecting to Launch miRview(TM) Squamous Later This Year Through its Recently Acquired CLIA lab in Philadelphia
REHOVOT, Israel and JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, October 2
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ: ROSG), a leader in
the development of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic products,
announced today the initiation of a clinical assessment study with the Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine. The study will compare Rosetta
Genomics' miRview(TM) squamous, which differentiates squamous from non
squamous non small cell lung cancer, with available immunohistochemistry
methods.
'We are excited to be collaborating once more with the excellent
scientists at Johns Hopkins University,' said Dr. Dalia Cohen. 'Having this
microRNA-based test assessed for clinical validity by faculty at one of the
country's top cancer research centers is viewed by us as a strong indication
to the interest this product and our technology are generating in the
oncology world.'
Differentiating squamous from non squamous cell lung cancer presents a
challenge to physicians, but until recently this differentiation was not
particularly relevant from a therapeutic or prognostic standpoint since no
drug was designed for a specific NSCLC sub-type.
A recently approved angiogenesis inhibitor for NSCLC has been shown to
have severe side effects for squamous-cell lung cancer patients. Furthermore,
this targeted therapy includes a black-box warning about substantially higher
rates of severe or fatal hemorrhage among NSCLC patients with predominantly
squamous histology. This has led patients with squamous-cell histology to be
regarded by many as inappropriate candidates for therapy with this drug. In
addition, several other targeted drugs for NSCLC currently under development
may require this type of accurate differentiation due to different side
effect profiles or different levels of efficacy.
Combining Rosetta Genomics' proprietary microRNA extraction technology
from FFPE samples, sensitive quantification platforms, and microRNA molecular
biomarkers identified by the company, Rosetta Genomics has developed a test
which differentiates squamous cell carcinoma of the lung from non-squamous
NSCLC.
