Epigenetic Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection

Methylation refers to naturally occurring chemical modifications that regulate gene function. Abnormal DNA methylation is often found in DNA from cancerous cells and is believed to affect a tumor's sensitivity to chemotherapy. Therefore, it can be a major factor in the presence of a disease such as cancer, and a rich source of biomarkers for novel diagnostic tests.

Scientists at Orion Genomics (St Louis, MO, USA) and the University of Glasgow (Glasgow, Scotland, UK) are collaborating to identify novel epigenetic biomarkers for the development of tests that screen for cancer at an early stage. The research will use Orion's proprietary DNA methylation technologies, including MethylScope microarrays and MethylScreen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. MethylScope detects inappropriate DNA methylation for all human genes on a single array. MethylScreen assays can be used to measure unique qualities of DNA that are indicative of disease progression.

The groups will compare patterns of DNA methylation from normal and tumor DNA to identify specific patterns of DNA methylation that indicate the presence of cancer and provide information about its stage and type. Orion will develop diagnostics based on these patterns that can detect trace amounts of methylated tumor DNA in easily accessed patient samples, including blood serum, biopsies, and cell scrapes.

Nathan Lakey, CEO and president of Orion Genomics, said that Professor Robert Brown at the University of Glasgow is a leader in translational research who "has carefully assembled tumor banks that will enable scientists in his lab, in collaboration with Orion, to find biomarkers for novel therapy selection and screening diagnostics and will expand Orion's exciting pipeline of diagnostic products.”



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