New test proves effective in more cancers
JOINT RELEASE WITH AVANTOGEN LIMITED
Avantogen Limited (ACU:ASX) today announced that cancer researchers at Perth's The Kids for Child Health Research (TICHR) and Avantogen Limited have achieved an important milestone towards more individually targeted and effective treatments for cancer patients.
The research team has now identified crucial genes in a range of common cancers that have been reported to predict a patient's response to treatment. This follows the team's earlier success in studying a tumor suppressor gene associated with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children.
By using a simple test developed at the Institute, they can rapidly detect the presence or absence of these tumor suppressor genes in the patient's cancer cells. Tumor suppressor genes are linked to a variety of cancers including lung, breast, renal, colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, lymphoma and malignant melanoma.
Professor Ursula Kees, who heads the Children's Leukaemia and Cancer Research Division at TICHR, said progress over the past 18 months has been excellent.
"The absence of specific tumor suppressor genes in tumor specimens provides a valuable genetic marker to help us determine who is at greater risk of relapse," she said.
"We've now used this new rapid test in a cancer that occurs in adults and found it to be effective in providing important information about the genetic makeup of the tumor - information that doctors could use at an early stage to decide on the most effective treatment regimen for that individual patient."
Dr Leonard Firestone, CEO and managing director of Avantogen, said his company is currently considering the most appropriate commercial model to bring the test to the market. The new test is based on fast and simple procedures that can be run out of most diagnostic laboratories.
Director of The Kids for Child Health Research, Professor Fiona Stanley, said the Institute was delighted to partner with Avantogen on this development because of their strong credentials in the oncology field.
--Ends--
About Avantogen
Avantogen (formerly Australian Cancer Technology) is an international biotechnology company developing a broad oncology-related product portfolio.
Avantogen is developing RP101, an exceptionally promising pancreatic cancer drug currently in Phase II clinical studies, through a joint venture with Bioaccelerate of New York. Avantogen's Pentrys™ anti-cancer vaccine is undergoing phase IIb clinical trials in prostate cancer patients, and the Company is advancing a family of immune-enhancing adjuvants which has been in three Phase I cancer trials in the United States.
The company has also marketed Revisys™, a branded line of medical nutritionals specifically developed to address special nutritional needs, such as those following cancer treatments.
Avantogen is traded on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) under the symbol ACU. The Company has established a Level 1 ADR stock program in the U.S. trading under the symbol AUCJY and also is listed on the Xetra exchange, the electronic trading system of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol CBS.
About The Kids for Child Health Research
The Kids for Child Health Research was founded in 1990 as Western Australia's only dedicated child health research facility. The Institute is headed by Professor Fiona Stanley AC, 2003 Australian of the Year.
The Institute has eight major program areas: Aboriginal child health; asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases; birth defects; cancer and leukaemia; developmental disorders; infectious diseases; mental health; and perinatal epidemiology.
The Institute's cancer research program is investigating childhood leukaemia, paediatric brain tumours and skin cancer. The research laboratory headed by Professor Ursula Kees is a member of the prestigious US-based Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest study group into childhood cancers.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Avantogen's ("company") actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Such potential risks and uncertainties relate, but are not limited, to the results of clinical trials, product demand and market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, effectiveness and pace of current and future product development, and regulatory approval. More detailed information on these and additional factors that could affect the company's operating and financial results are described in the company's annual reports filed or to be filed with the Australian Stock Exchange. The company urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that the company faces. The historical results achieved by the company are not necessarily indicative of its future prospects. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Dr Leonard Firestone
Chief Executive Officer
Avantogen Limited
Tel: +61 2 9252 6899