New Assays Aid Analysis of Biomarkers

Two new assays have been launched that are commercially available for quantitative biomarker analysis.

The Epityper assay and the Qge iplex multiplex assay were developed by Sequenom (San Diego, CA, USA) for use with the company's Massarray system. The assays are directed towards the methylation-marker analysis market and the gene-
expression analysis market, respectively.

The Epityper assay is a novel enabling tool for DNA methylation-marker research. DNA methylation markers are a relatively new class of biomarkers that are useful because of there correlation to gene activity. High levels of cytosine methylation in genomic regions called CpG islands are often associated with decreased or completely inhibited gene expression. Researchers believe that DNA methylation patterns play an important role in early cancer detection and prognosis. The assay is important in other fields by providing quantitative results in the form of methylation ratios in targeted genomic regions.

The second assay, the Qge iplex multiplex assay, is a research tool that enables quantitative gene-expression analysis. While other technologies generally provide for an analysis of only one to four genes per reaction, Sequenom's multiplex assay provides simultaneous quantitative results for 20 or more genes per reaction. This results in reduced reagent costs and more data per time interval. Quantitative gene-expression analysis provides information that helps researchers assess disease prognosis and evaluate patient response to treatment.

The Epityper assay and the Qge iplex multiplex assay are to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Washington (DC, USA) in April 2006.



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