Protein Biomarkers May Have Multiple Applications

Results of an ongoing study to validate biomarkers for ovarian cancer have shown that the markers are also responsive to stages of the disease and to therapy. These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society in Edinburgh (UK) in October 2004.

In a study utilizing 436 samples derived from 53 women with stage I-II ovarian cancer, 116 women with late-stage ovarian cancer, and 98 controls, the results confirmed the down-regulation of specific variants of transthyretin and apolipoprotien A1, two markers previously found to be down-regulated in early-stage ovarian cancer. The study was conducted by Ciphergen Diagnostics (Fremont, CA, USA; www.ciphergen.com) in collaboration with Professor Ate van der Zee, of the University Hospital Groningen (The Netherlands), and Professor Ignace Vergote, of the Universitaire Ziekenhuizen K.U.Leuven (Belgium).

The levels of various forms of transthyretin were decreased in women with either large-stage or early-stage ovarian cancer, compared to controls. Also, the levels of various forms of apolipoprotein A1 were decreased in women with either late-stage or early-stage ovarian cancer. In addition, data indicated that these markers were responsive to therapy. Levels of transthyretin and apolipoprotien A1 variants were increased after surgical treatment for women with either late-stage or early-stage disease. In a subset of women whose levels were followed until recurrence, both transthyretin and apolipoprotein A1 variants decreased at or before clinical recurrence was detected.

Ciphergen has developed a new chromatographic surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF)-based assay in which the five transthyretin variants can be assayed on a its new ProteinChip system 4000, while the two apolipoprotein A1 variants can be assayed on the company's IMAC ProteinChip array.

"These findings suggest that these markers may be useful for multiple clinical applications, including to aid in the initial diagnosis and staging of ovarian cancer,” commented Dr. Eric Fung, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of clinical affairs at Ciphergen. "We are expanding our studies to provide additional clinical and statistical support for these conclusions.”




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