ONCIMMUNE Releases test that aids in early detection of lung cancer.
November 16, 2009 by Vangie Rich 775 views
Filed under For Patients, For Supporters, Press
De Soto, Kan. – Aug. 25, 2009 – In the ongoing effort to advance early cancer detection technology, Oncimmune LLC announces the release of EarlyCDT–Lung™, a simple blood test that has the ability to aid physicians in the early detection of lung cancer when treatment can be most successful. Developed through biomedical technology identified in the laboratories of John Robertson, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Nottingham University, England, and Chief Scientific Officer of Oncimmune LTD (1, 2), EarlyCDT–Lung increases the ability for earlier diagnosis of lung cancer; the cancer with the worst patient prognosis and highest mortality rate (3). Over the past 15 years, 25 million dollars have been invested into the EarlyCDT–Lung test. Samples from more than 80,000 individuals (both with cancer and without), totaling nearly 8 million individual results, have been devoted to the research and development phase of this test.
EarlyCDT–Lung measures a panel of six autoantibodies each selected for their involvement in the development of lung cancer. The test detects the body’s immune response in the form of antibodies to antigens, which are produced by solid-tumor cancer cells. In healthy individuals, the immune system does not produce antibodies against normal tissue antigens. When cancer develops, cancer cells produce antigens that are abnormal or in some way modified from those found in normal tissue. The immune system detects these antigens and reacts by producing an abundance of autoantibodies that circulate in the bloodstream. As these autoantibodies form and circulate in the body during stages I and II, the earliest stages of lung cancer, their measurement signifies the presence of cancerous cells, indicating that a tumor exists.
The test is recommended for individuals who are at high risk of lung cancer, including long-term smokers, ex-smokers and those exposed to environmental factors such as asbestos, radon and/or radioactive substances. Categorized as a high-complexity test under CLIA guidelines, the EarlyCDT–Lung test is performed exclusively at Oncimmune’s CLIA registered laboratory in De Soto, Kan. The laboratory procedure utilizes multiple high-precision liquid handling robots and other instrumentation to produce an accurate test result.
For complete information: http://www.oncimmune.com/useruploads/files/OncimmunePressRelease.08.25.pdf
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Will good insurance companies pay for this test? What does it cost?
Kathy
Right now it is not covered by insurance. The cost is $200