The early detection of cancer is considered crucial in developing a truly effective approach to dealing with the disease. There are, of course, many types of cancers, but early detection, before symptoms develop, could have a dramatic effect on the ability of doctors to successfully treat the disease before its spread makes it untreatable. In conjunction with the need for early detection is the search for a relatively simple and non-invasive method of detection. Less invasive tests would make it easier for patients, encouraging them to go in for tests, and it would also lower costs. With such technologies, it’s possible that cancer screening could someday become routine across the general population, making successful outcomes far more likely.
VolitionRx is developing unique blood-based cancer diagnostic tests. The company’s proprietary Nucleosomics technology, and associated NuQ assays, can effectively spot and measure nucleosome structures in the blood, an indication of the presence of cancerous cells. Positive results in early tests have led the company to recently announce the commencement of effectiveness trials on a larger scale. In collaboration with Hvidovre Hospital in Denmark, samples collected earlier from 4,800 patients are being put through a blind retrospective study to further confirm the accuracy of the company’s NuQ assays for the initial screening of colorectal cancer. The samples assessed in the study are from patients who have undergone a colonoscopy and have confirmed presence or absence of colorectal cancer, other malignancies, polyps, or benign bowel diseases. Early tests displayed 85% detection rates for colorectal cancer and more than 50% of precancerous polyps.
In addition, the company is also developing HyperGenomics, designed to detect specific signatures from cancer biopsies by reading hypersensitive sites along the DNA string. The idea is to better identify subtypes of the disease, allowing more highly focused therapies.
For additional information, visit www.volitionrx.com
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