Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Tuesday, September 28, 2010, researchers at SomaLogic, Inc., announced that results from their novel “aptamer-based proteomics array” technology has confirmed earlier studies where researchers  detected early stages of mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer.  The new technology comes form a U.S. company, SomaLogic, Inc., that is working on “ developing unique and powerful proteomic reagents, known as SOMAmers, that unlock biomarker discovery to detect even the rarest disease associated proteins quickly, concurrently, effectively, and economically.” 

Early detection of mesothelioma could be key to extending survival times and improving quality of life and efficacy of treatments.  Usually diagnosis of mesothelioma does not occur until it has reached advanced stages because there is a long latency period before symptoms of mesothelioma appear and then these symptoms often mimic less serious illness.  Diagnosing mesothelioma at earlier stages not only leads to increased options of therapy but also increases the effectiveness of treatments taken.

Rachel Ostroff, Ph.D., clinical research director of Somalogic Inc. announced the results at the Fourth American Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”)  International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development.   Dr. Ostroff stated  “Currently these cancers are detected at an advanced stage, where the possibility of cure is minimal,  Detection of these aggressive cancers at an earlier stage would identify patients for early treatment, which may improve their survival and quality of life.”

The researchers discovered that each of the aggressive and rare forms of cancer had unique biomarkers and protein signatures, distinguishing them from other forms of malignancy.  They then developed equally unique signatures for each form of cancer leading to highly accurate detection.  The high specificity associated with the unique signatures will help avoid incorrect diagnosis, which can lead to costly, invasive, and unnecessary tests and treatments. Validation studies are now underway, in hopes one day soon it will be approved for use in clinical trials for those diagnosed with either type of cancer.