ASR Identifies Aberrant S-Phase Induction

A slide-based analyte-specific reagent (ASR) called ProEx C is designed for the identification of aberrant S-phase induction, which may be involved in cancers of the cervix, ovary, prostate, esophagus, and colon.

An emerging class of markers, the minichromosome maintenance protein family of DNA licensing factors (MCM-2, MCM-6, MCM-7) and topoisomerase II alpha, show promise for the specific detection of CIN2+ cervical conditions, using simple antibody-based immunochemistry formats. The scientific development of these biomarkers was reported in the April 2005 issue of Cancer Research by Dr. Douglas Malinowski, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of TriPath Imaging, Inc. (Burlington, NC, USA).

Dr. Malinowski specifically describes the MCM and topoisomerase II alpha proteins that are potentially overexpressed as a result of infection of cervical keratinocytes with oncogenic strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the subsequent uncontrolled activation of gene transcription and aberrant S-phase induction mediated through the E2F transcription factor pathway.

"We believe that aberrant S-phase induction may be a hallmark of high-grade cervical conditions (CIN2+) and further research could provide a link between oncogenic HPV infections and the molecular processes that lead to the development of cancer of the cervix and its precursors,” explained Dr. Malinowski.

The ProEx C ASR was developed by TriPath Imaging and is a major milestone in the company's molecular diagnostic product development programs, according to Paul R. Sohmer, M.D., chairman, president, and CEO of TriPath Imaging.





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