Could Agenus Vaccine For Glioblastoma Be Assigned Breakthrough Designation?

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Sep 18 2013, 17:18 by: Prohost Biotech  |  about: AGEN

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Agenus (AGEN) has extraordinary news. A recent analysis from a Phase 2 trial in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated with Prophage Series G-100 (HSPPC-96) in combination with the current standard of care (radiation and temozolomide) showed an almost 18 month median progression free survival (PFS), which represents a 160% increase versus current standard of care alone. The results confirm continuation of the positive trends from the Phase 2 HSPPC-96 newly diagnosed GBM trial first reported at the 81st American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting in May 2013.

According to Andrew T. Parsa, MD, PhD, Lead Clinical Investigator and Chair of Neurosurgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the results are extremely encouraging and justify a definitive randomized study. The patient-specificity and lack of toxicity, combined with patient selection to optimize immunotherapy efficacy, could position this vaccine as a breakthrough treatment for newly diagnosed GBM patients in the years ahead.

Agenus plans to hold an end of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA to discuss a Phase 3 trial that could potentially lead to marketing approval of the HSPPC-96 vaccine as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

The Trial

The Phase 2 trial includes 46 patients treated with radiation and temozolomide as the standard of care in addition to HSPPC-96 vaccination. Data analysis demonstrates a median PFS of 17.8 months with 63% of the patients progression free at twelve months and 20% progression free at 24 months. These results score a considerable improvement when compared to patients treated with the standard of care (radiation plus temozolomide), which is 6.9 months.

The primary endpoint of the trial - Median overall survival (OS) - is 23.3 months and remained durable in patients treated with HSPPC-96. The 12 months survival rate is 85% with 50% of patients still alive and being followed, with many surviving beyond the 24 month study period. For the standard of care alone, median OS survival rate is 14.6 months.

The Phase 2 recurrent and newly diagnosed trials are being sponsored by Dr. Parsa and are primarily supported through funding from the American Brain Tumor Association, Accelerated Brain Cancer Cure, National Brain Tumor Society and National Cancer Institute Special Programs of Research Excellence. Dr. Parsa has not received any financial support or expense reimbursement for this work or for consulting activities on behalf of Agenus. He does not have an equity interest in Agenus or a financial relationship with the company.

In addition to the Phase 2 newly diagnosed GBM trial, the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is supporting a study of the HSPPC-96 vaccine in a large, randomized Phase 2 trial in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with surgically resectable recurrent GBM. Patients have already been randomized into this trial and active recruitment is underway at multiple centers in the US. The study is being sponsored by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (ALLIANCE), a cooperative group of the NCI. This trial is the largest brain tumor trial ever funded by the NCI and the largest vaccine study ever conducted with Avastin.

The ALLIANCE trial is investigating the potential benefits of treatment with a combination of HSPPC-96 and bevacizumab in a three-arm study of approximately 222 patients with surgically resectable recurrent GBM using a primary endpoint of overall survival. The study will compare efficacy of the HSPPC-96 vaccine administered with bevacizumab either concomitantly or at progression, versus treatment with bevacizumab alone. This study design is supported in part by previous research indicating a potential synergistic effect between the mechanisms of action behind both HSPPC-96 and bevacizumab.

The ALLIANCE is composed of three NCI funded cooperative groups (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group [ACOSOG], Cancer and Leukemia Group B [CALGB], and North Central Cancer Treatment Group [NCCTG]). These three groups have been integrated in an effort to develop and conduct more efficient clinical research studies to bring clinical trial results to patients more quickly.

In addition to the newly diagnosed GBM study in Prophage Series G-100 and the ALLIANCE trial, a Phase 2 study testing the Prophage Series G-200 in patients with recurrent glioma has been completed. Agenus expects the final trial results of this study to be published in a scientific journal in 2014.

Our Comments

The above results bring news that many are hoping for, but were not expecting soon and from a small firm. Here we are, the good news has come at the hands of Agenus' Prophage Series vaccines. The vaccines contain a precise antigenic "fingerprint" of a patient's particular cancer and are designed to reprogram the body's immune system to target only those cells that bear this fingerprint, reducing the risk of affecting healthy tissue, causing debilitating adverse effects. The Prophage Series G vaccines are currently being studied in two different settings of newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma.

This is great news as Glioblastoma is a vicious brain cancer that has poor prognosis and no effective treatment. The incidence rate has risen the past three decades. The current standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed GBM is surgical resection followed by fractionated external beam radiotherapy and systemic temozolomide resulting in a median OS of 14.6 months. No cure has been provided yet and most patients with GBM experience cancer recurrence with a median time to recurrence of seven months. There is no standard treatment for patients with recurrent GBM.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 23,000 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be diagnosed during 2013 in the US, and that more than 14,000 people will die from these tumors.

This is, indeed, good news.

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Breakthrough Breast Cancer seeking 'the best and the brightest'

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has a number of vacancies ranging from trainees to senior managers in various areas. Photograph: Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Tell us about Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a passionate, focused and energetic charity committed to achieving our vision of a world freed from breast cancer. First and foremost we're a research organisation, funding 25% of all breast cancer research in the UK, and this underpins every part of our work. Breakthrough's research is saving lives by helping improve early diagnosis, developing new treatments and working to ultimately prevent all types of breast cancer.

What is the focus of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer team?
Our research is the heart of what we do at Breakthrough, but the work that takes place outside the laboratory is equally important. Our work covers all aspects of breast cancer including patient advocacy, mass engagement, fundraising and working with policy makers to ensure breast cancer patients and their families get the best and most current, effective care possible.

We've got a huge challenge ahead of us, but we're fortunate to have a talented, driven team who not only enjoy what they do, but are also making a huge difference to the lives of the thousands of men and women affected by breast cancer in the UK.

Tell us a bit about your careers open day. Why are you doing it?
If we're going to make our vision of a world freed from breast cancer a reality, then we're going to need the best and the brightest. We currently have a number of vacancies across the organisation and we're inviting applications for a range of jobs, from trainees to senior managers, in fundraising, communications, marketing and business development. Our careers open day is an opportunity for prospective members of our team to come and meet us, learn about what we do and find out first-hand how we're making a real difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer.

Is breast cancer just a women's issue?
Every year, 50,000 women and 400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Everyone knows someone who's been affected by breast cancer, and the shock and grief that the disease causes affects individuals, their friends and their families. Breast cancer is everyone's problem, and Breakthrough is dedicated to uniting everybody affected by and working against the disease.

I'm not a scientist, how could I make an impact on breast cancer?
Our scientific research is important, but there are so many teams in Breakthrough fighting breast cancer on all fronts. Outside the lab our teams engage with policy makers, campaign for better breast awareness, produce health information, fundraise, and work with our many supporters with the aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

What are the opportunities over the next few years for Breakthrough Breast Cancer? And how will these prospective applicants contribute to Breakthrough's ongoing success?
Over the years we've had the benefit of experience and expertise from every professional sector, and moving forward we want to build on this, grow our workforce and get ever closer to achieving our goals. We are at an exciting stage of our development; we've just launched our new strategy and five new areas of focus for our work, so we're actively seeking the best of the best to make these ambitions a reality. Our careers open day is an opportunity for people to find out what we want to achieve, and let us know how they can help us do it.

What's it like to work in the charity sector?
Working in the charity sector is a rewarding experience; your work is making a difference to people's lives, and bringing about positive social change. At Breakthrough, we pride ourselves on using business methods to capitalise on every opportunity, and ensure every penny of our fundraisers' money goes towards achieving our ultimate aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

Why should people want to work for Breakthrough?
Our recent in-house opinion survey showed that over 80% of our people would recommend Breakthrough as an employer; we've got a great team working in a lively, engaging environment. There are great benefits, and our staff progression scheme allows our team members to grow and develop into their roles.

But beyond that, Breakthrough is a unique, special place to work. Being part of our team means you're making a genuine difference to the lives of people living with breast cancer. Breakthrough is a force for change, and everyone who works here takes us a step closer to achieving the vision that underpins all of our work, a world freed from breast cancer.

Catherine Devitt is director of people and organisation development at Breakthrough Breast Cancer

For more information about our benefits and vacancies please visit Breakthrough's careers page. If you would like to attend the careers open day please email openday@breakthrough.org.uk

This content is produced and funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer

View the original article here

Breakthrough Breast Cancer seeking 'the best and the brightest'

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has a number of vacancies ranging from trainees to senior managers in various areas. Photograph: Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Tell us about Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a passionate, focused and energetic charity committed to achieving our vision of a world freed from breast cancer. First and foremost we're a research organisation, funding 25% of all breast cancer research in the UK, and this underpins every part of our work. Breakthrough's research is saving lives by helping improve early diagnosis, developing new treatments and working to ultimately prevent all types of breast cancer.

What is the focus of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer team?
Our research is the heart of what we do at Breakthrough, but the work that takes place outside the laboratory is equally important. Our work covers all aspects of breast cancer including patient advocacy, mass engagement, fundraising and working with policy makers to ensure breast cancer patients and their families get the best and most current, effective care possible.

We've got a huge challenge ahead of us, but we're fortunate to have a talented, driven team who not only enjoy what they do, but are also making a huge difference to the lives of the thousands of men and women affected by breast cancer in the UK.

Tell us a bit about your careers open day. Why are you doing it?
If we're going to make our vision of a world freed from breast cancer a reality, then we're going to need the best and the brightest. We currently have a number of vacancies across the organisation and we're inviting applications for a range of jobs, from trainees to senior managers, in fundraising, communications, marketing and business development. Our careers open day is an opportunity for prospective members of our team to come and meet us, learn about what we do and find out first-hand how we're making a real difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer.

Is breast cancer just a women's issue?
Every year, 50,000 women and 400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Everyone knows someone who's been affected by breast cancer, and the shock and grief that the disease causes affects individuals, their friends and their families. Breast cancer is everyone's problem, and Breakthrough is dedicated to uniting everybody affected by and working against the disease.

I'm not a scientist, how could I make an impact on breast cancer?
Our scientific research is important, but there are so many teams in Breakthrough fighting breast cancer on all fronts. Outside the lab our teams engage with policy makers, campaign for better breast awareness, produce health information, fundraise, and work with our many supporters with the aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

What are the opportunities over the next few years for Breakthrough Breast Cancer? And how will these prospective applicants contribute to Breakthrough's ongoing success?
Over the years we've had the benefit of experience and expertise from every professional sector, and moving forward we want to build on this, grow our workforce and get ever closer to achieving our goals. We are at an exciting stage of our development; we've just launched our new strategy and five new areas of focus for our work, so we're actively seeking the best of the best to make these ambitions a reality. Our careers open day is an opportunity for people to find out what we want to achieve, and let us know how they can help us do it.

What's it like to work in the charity sector?
Working in the charity sector is a rewarding experience; your work is making a difference to people's lives, and bringing about positive social change. At Breakthrough, we pride ourselves on using business methods to capitalise on every opportunity, and ensure every penny of our fundraisers' money goes towards achieving our ultimate aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

Why should people want to work for Breakthrough?
Our recent in-house opinion survey showed that over 80% of our people would recommend Breakthrough as an employer; we've got a great team working in a lively, engaging environment. There are great benefits, and our staff progression scheme allows our team members to grow and develop into their roles.

But beyond that, Breakthrough is a unique, special place to work. Being part of our team means you're making a genuine difference to the lives of people living with breast cancer. Breakthrough is a force for change, and everyone who works here takes us a step closer to achieving the vision that underpins all of our work, a world freed from breast cancer.

Catherine Devitt is director of people and organisation development at Breakthrough Breast Cancer

For more information about our benefits and vacancies please visit Breakthrough's careers page. If you would like to attend the careers open day please email openday@breakthrough.org.uk

This content is produced and funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer

View the original article here

Breakthrough Breast Cancer seeking 'the best and the brightest'

Breakthrough Breast Cancer has a number of vacancies ranging from trainees to senior managers in various areas. Photograph: Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Tell us about Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a passionate, focused and energetic charity committed to achieving our vision of a world freed from breast cancer. First and foremost we're a research organisation, funding 25% of all breast cancer research in the UK, and this underpins every part of our work. Breakthrough's research is saving lives by helping improve early diagnosis, developing new treatments and working to ultimately prevent all types of breast cancer.

What is the focus of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer team?
Our research is the heart of what we do at Breakthrough, but the work that takes place outside the laboratory is equally important. Our work covers all aspects of breast cancer including patient advocacy, mass engagement, fundraising and working with policy makers to ensure breast cancer patients and their families get the best and most current, effective care possible.

We've got a huge challenge ahead of us, but we're fortunate to have a talented, driven team who not only enjoy what they do, but are also making a huge difference to the lives of the thousands of men and women affected by breast cancer in the UK.

Tell us a bit about your careers open day. Why are you doing it?
If we're going to make our vision of a world freed from breast cancer a reality, then we're going to need the best and the brightest. We currently have a number of vacancies across the organisation and we're inviting applications for a range of jobs, from trainees to senior managers, in fundraising, communications, marketing and business development. Our careers open day is an opportunity for prospective members of our team to come and meet us, learn about what we do and find out first-hand how we're making a real difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer.

Is breast cancer just a women's issue?
Every year, 50,000 women and 400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Everyone knows someone who's been affected by breast cancer, and the shock and grief that the disease causes affects individuals, their friends and their families. Breast cancer is everyone's problem, and Breakthrough is dedicated to uniting everybody affected by and working against the disease.

I'm not a scientist, how could I make an impact on breast cancer?
Our scientific research is important, but there are so many teams in Breakthrough fighting breast cancer on all fronts. Outside the lab our teams engage with policy makers, campaign for better breast awareness, produce health information, fundraise, and work with our many supporters with the aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

What are the opportunities over the next few years for Breakthrough Breast Cancer? And how will these prospective applicants contribute to Breakthrough's ongoing success?
Over the years we've had the benefit of experience and expertise from every professional sector, and moving forward we want to build on this, grow our workforce and get ever closer to achieving our goals. We are at an exciting stage of our development; we've just launched our new strategy and five new areas of focus for our work, so we're actively seeking the best of the best to make these ambitions a reality. Our careers open day is an opportunity for people to find out what we want to achieve, and let us know how they can help us do it.

What's it like to work in the charity sector?
Working in the charity sector is a rewarding experience; your work is making a difference to people's lives, and bringing about positive social change. At Breakthrough, we pride ourselves on using business methods to capitalise on every opportunity, and ensure every penny of our fundraisers' money goes towards achieving our ultimate aim of stopping women and men dying from breast cancer.

Why should people want to work for Breakthrough?
Our recent in-house opinion survey showed that over 80% of our people would recommend Breakthrough as an employer; we've got a great team working in a lively, engaging environment. There are great benefits, and our staff progression scheme allows our team members to grow and develop into their roles.

But beyond that, Breakthrough is a unique, special place to work. Being part of our team means you're making a genuine difference to the lives of people living with breast cancer. Breakthrough is a force for change, and everyone who works here takes us a step closer to achieving the vision that underpins all of our work, a world freed from breast cancer.

Catherine Devitt is director of people and organisation development at Breakthrough Breast Cancer

For more information about our benefits and vacancies please visit Breakthrough's careers page. If you would like to attend the careers open day please email openday@breakthrough.org.uk

This content is produced and funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer

View the original article here

Tisch MS researchers announce breakthrough in disease monitoring

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 01 Aug 2013 - 2:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Tisch MS researchers announce breakthrough in disease monitoring

A research team lead by Violaine Harris, Ph.D., at the Tisch MS Research Center of New York, has just published findings on a new method of measuring disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

This important biomarker discovery is based on spinal fluid measurement of Fetuin-A levels obtained over the course of several years of clinical and pathological studies of MS patients as well as experimental models of the disease. Dr. Harris's findings are likely to change the process for making treatment decisions in MS patients.

Current MS treatment is designed to stop disease activity in the brain and spinal cord with the goal of arresting disease progression and disability. According to Dr. Saud A. Sadiq, the senior author on the study, "these findings will provide a measurable method of monitoring the effectiveness of treatment much like determining blood sugar levels are assayed for diabetic patients. Many patients with MS on treatment report 'worsening' despite stable MRI findings. Addition of Fetuin-A measurement will help better evaluate disease activity in such patients."

The Tisch MS Research Team continues to study the underlying mechanisms of elevation of spinal fluid Fetuin-A to determine its exact role in multiple sclerosis.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our multiple sclerosis section for the latest news on this subject.

Cerebrospinal fluid fetuin-A is a biomarker of active multiple sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Epub: 2/25/2013 doi: 10.1177/1352458513477923 ahead of print.

The Tisch MS Research Center of New York

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posted by Dr Zinia Thomas on 1 Aug 2013 at 5:10 am

Fetuin-A levels is very much important to monitor a disease. It is important because if you can't properly monitor the disease treatment will goes wrong.

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'Tisch MS researchers announce breakthrough in disease monitoring'

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UNMC study to test 'breakthrough' drug in mantle cell lymphoma patients - FDA expected to approve drug in 6 months

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 31 Jul 2013 - 1:00 PDT Current ratings for:
UNMC study to test 'breakthrough' drug in mantle cell lymphoma patients - FDA expected to approve drug in 6 months

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is involved in testing a drug the Food and Drug Administration has fast-tracked towards approval because of its dramatic results in patients with mantle cell lymphoma and other cancers.

"This experimental drug, Ibruitinib, is so promising that the FDA gave it fast track designation which rarely happens," said Julie M. Vose, M.D., chief of the division of hematology and oncology and Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor at UNMC. "Patients who've been on the treatment have had remarkable results with limited side effects. We are able to offer this to patients through an expanded access program which occurs about six months before the FDA approves it."

The new study is targeted for patients age 18 and older with mantle cell lymphoma who've relapsed - meaning other treatments have failed. The study, which aims to enroll as many patients as possible, is being conducted in about 50 locations across the United States and in Puerto Rico. Those eligible for the study will be provided the drug at no cost.

The FDA designated Ibruitinib as a breakthrough therapy. The designation is intended to expedite the development and review of drugs for serious or life-threatening conditions that demonstrate the drug may have substantial improvement over available therapy. The study will remain open until the medication is FDA approved, which should be by the end of the year, Dr. Vose said.

Dr. Vose, who is principal investigator of the UNMC study, said Ibruitinib works differently than other drugs for this type of cancer. The drug, developed by Pharmacyclics, Inc and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical division, basically poisons one of the pathways that helps the cancer grow.

"It kills the lymphoma," she said. "It has fairly limited side effects. It's a pill rather than an intravenous delivery, and it also has potential to be used with other treatments due to the limited side effects."

Steven "Robert" Whisnant of Morganton, N.C., and his wife, Quteen, came from North Carolina for the trial after his physicians told him there was nothing else they could do. Whisnant has had a dramatic response to the medication as have many other patients, Dr. Vose said.

"I'm thankful that there's somebody out there trying to find different things to help people because if I hadn't have gotten the medication, I'd have died," Whisnant said. "So far it seems to be working. All the tumors in my neck are gone and the ones in my stomach have shrunken. It gives us hope and I'm thankful for that."

Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that most often affects men over the age of 60. The disease may be fast or slow growing. It comprises about five percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Dr. Vose said results thus far have seen a 75 percent response rate in patients with mantle cell lymphoma whose disease has failed all other treatments.

"We have been involved in several of the first clinical trials with this particular medication," Dr. Vose said. "We don't think it's a cure but it's been found to be able to keep patients in remission longer to control their symptoms and allow them to have a good quality of life. These patients have very limited other options. This is a breakthrough and works very quickly."

Clinical trials began on Ibruitinib a few years ago. It also is being tested at other sites for other types of lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.

Other co-investigators in the study are UNMC physicians Jim Armitage, M.D., Phil Bierman, M.D., and Greg Bociek, M.D.

For more information about the study "An Open Label Treatment Use Protocol for Ibrutinib in Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma", contact Maribeth at 402 559-9053 or mahohens@unmc.edu. For a complete list of other study locations go to clinicaltrials.gov and search "NCT01833039."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Source:

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Visit our lymphoma / leukemia / myeloma section for the latest news on this subject.

University of Nebraska Medical Center

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University of Nebraska Medical Center. (2013, July 31). "UNMC study to test 'breakthrough' drug in mantle cell lymphoma patients - FDA expected to approve drug in 6 months." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/264120.php.

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'UNMC study to test 'breakthrough' drug in mantle cell lymphoma patients - FDA expected to approve drug in 6 months'

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Treatments for tuberculosis, cancer will likely improve following breakthrough in detecting DNA mutations

Main Category: Tuberculosis
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Genetics
Article Date: 30 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Treatments for tuberculosis, cancer will likely improve following breakthrough in detecting DNA mutations

The slightest variation in a sequence of DNA can have profound effects. Modern genomics has shown that just one mutation can be the difference between successfully treating a disease and having it spread rampantly throughout the body.

Now, researchers have developed a new method that can look at a specific segment of DNA and pinpoint a single mutation, which could help diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis. These small changes can be the root of a disease or the reason some infectious diseases resist certain antibiotics. The findings were published online in the journal Nature Chemistry.

"We've really improved on previous approaches because our solution doesn't require any complicated reactions or added enzymes, it just uses DNA," said lead author Georg Seelig, a University of Washington assistant professor of electrical engineering and of computer science and engineering. "This means that the method is robust to changes in temperature and other environmental variables, making it well-suited for diagnostic applications in low-resource settings."

DNA is a type of nucleic acid, the biological molecule that gives all living things their unique genetic signatures. In a double strand of DNA, known as a double helix, a series of base pairs bond and encode our genetic information. As genomics research has progressed, it's clear that a change of just one base pair - a sequence mutation, an insertion or a deletion - is enough to trigger major biological consequences. This could explain the onset of disease, or the reason some diseases don't respond to usual antibiotic treatment.

Take, for example, tuberculosis ?" a disease that's known to have drug-resistant strains. Its resistance to antibiotics often is due to a small number of mutations in a specific gene. If a person with tuberculosis isn't responding to treatment, it's likely because there is a mutation, Seelig said.

Now, researchers have the ability to check for that mutation preventatively.

Seelig, along with David Zhang of Rice University and Sherry Chen, a UW doctoral student in electrical engineering, designed probes that can pick out mutations in a single base pair in a target stretch of DNA. The probes allow researchers to look in much more detail for variations in long sequences - up to 200 base pairs ?" while current methods can detect mutations in stretches of up to only 20.

"In terms of specificity, our research suggests that we can do quadratically better, meaning that whatever the best level of specificity, our best will be that number squared," said Zhang, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University.

The testing probes are designed to bind with a sequence of DNA that is suspected of having a mutation. The researchers do this by creating a complimentary sequence of DNA to the double-helix strand in question. Then, they allow molecules containing both sequences to mix in a test tube in salt water, where they naturally will match up to one another if the base pairs are intact. Unlike previous technologies, the probe molecule checks both strands of the target double helix for mutations rather than just one, which explains the increased specificity.

The probe is engineered to emit a fluorescent glow if there's a perfect match between it and the target. If it doesn't illuminate, that means the strands didn't match and there was in fact a mutation in the target strand of DNA.

The researchers have filed a patent on the technology and are working with the UW Center for Commercialization. They hope to integrate it into a paper-based diagnostic test for diseases that could be used in parts of the world with few medical resources.

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our tuberculosis section for the latest news on this subject.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency.

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