Qiagen NV, Hilden, Germany, has launched two novel liquid biopsy panels for the evaluation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), in the growing field of research into the molecular mechanisms of prostate and lung cancers.
The AdnaTest ProstateCancerPanel AR-V7 kit and AdnaTest LungCancer kit build on Qiagen’s proprietary AdnaTest combination of combinations principle technology, a highly specific immunomagnetic cell-selection system for enriching circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from peripheral blood that allows sensitive analysis of cancer-associated gene expression.
“Our AdnaTest liquid biopsy-based portfolio now offers molecular characterization in leading cancers, with insights into tumor biology, pathways, relevant biomarkers, cancer progression, and even resistance to therapy,” says Thomas Schweins, senior vice president and head of Qiagen’s life sciences business unit.
The AdnaTest ProstateCancerPanel AR-V7 kit provides new insights into tumor biology by detecting the androgen receptor splice variant 7 in CTCs of prostate tumor origin isolated from blood samples to investigate potential resistance to drugs for advanced prostate cancer. With an exclusive worldwide license from Johns Hopkins University for nucleic acid detection of the AR-V7 biomarker for diagnostic use, Qiagen is now launching the test for research use.
The AdnaTest LungCancer kit delivers unique insights into the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer through highly specific selection of CTCs, including stem cell-like cells implicated in cancer growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, an important marker of resistance to cancer therapy. A proprietary set of antibodies provides sensitive detection of lung cancer-associated targets through reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The open system ensures flexibility for users to add the targets of interest.
Michael Kazinski, Qiagen.
“The ability to analyze circulating tumor cells offers potential to expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lung and prostate cancer and advance new approaches to treatment,” says Michael Kazinski, senior director and head of sample technologies at Qiagen. “With the high specificity and sensitivity of the AdnaTest kits, researchers can use liquid biopsies to achieve reliable, accurate characterization of lung and prostate cancer CTCs for interpretation of disease development and metastasis.”
