Oncology
The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 10 million Americans have or have had some form of cancer, and expects another 1.5 million new cancer cases in the US to be diagnosed in 2008. Globally, there were more than 12 Million newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2007, with the number of newly diagnosed global cancer cases expected to reach over 17 Million by 2020. Regular screening examinations by a health care professional can result in the detection and removal of precancerous growths, as well as the diagnosis of cancers at an early stage when they are most treatable.
Detecting multiple changes in the pattern of gene expression, DNA methlyation or microRNA is quickly becoming the standard in screening and diagnostic testing. However, a number of studies indicate that the presence or absence of a change in a set of biomarker is only part of the story. The extent, or level, to which those changes occur, is often an integral part of diagnostic and prognostic value of those biomarkers. STAR has the ability to both detect all of these different nucleic acid targets and to quantitate the changes in the patterns of gene expression, DNA methlyation and microRNA expression.
Multiplexed quantitative and qualitative assays will become increasingly more important in patient management because they provide more information about disease. STAR technology is uniquely positioned to address this unmet need by providing the first technology capable of multiplexing with true quantification while reducing lab costs at the same time.
PrimeraDx is currently evaluating opportunities in the diagnosis, the staging, the prognosis and in directing patient therapy areas of oncology.