Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Hisashi Ietsugu) starts research in collaboration with Epigenomics AG (HQ: Germany) to establish technology for early detection of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer may be cured completely if detected at an early stage, hence early detection-or screening-is critical. The two companies have agreed to explore possibilities for the early detection of colorectal cancer through a combination of the colorectal cancer methylation biomarker SEPT9, a proprietary product of Epigenomics, and the rapid and sensitive methylation detection technology being developed by Sysmex.
Through this joint research, Sysmex aims to establish technology for early detection of colorectal cancer, thereby improving the scope of its diagnostic technology portfolio from early detection to treatment support and relapse prevention.
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Colorectal cancer, if detected at an early stage, can be cured completely by endoscopic resection or other surgical procedures, hence early detection (screening) is critical.
In order to develop early detection technology, Sysmex has entered into a collaboration with Epigenomics.
This technology allows the detection of cancer cell-derived methylated genes, or DNA, that exist in the blood. Methylation is a reaction in which molecules, called the methyl group, are bonded to genes, and this bonding represses gene expression. In cancer cells, however, methylation occurs in genes that would not be methylated in normal cells, and inappropriate methylation can lead to an abnormal cellular state; a potential cause of cancer.
In the blood, there are genes that flow out of cells. If there are genes that are methylated in manner characteristic of cancer, highly sensitive detection of such genes may facilitate early cancer detection.
In this collaborative effort, the SEPT9 methylation biomarker discovered by Epigenomics is used as a methylated gene biomarker specific for colorectal cancer. Sysmex, meanwhile, is in the process of developing technology for rapid and sensitive measurement of gene methylation, based on which a system of measuring SEPT9 will be built.
The measuring system will also be used to conduct a basic evaluation to determine its applicability to clinical colorectal cancer screening.
Sysmex is committed to the creation of new technologies that will assist in providing individual patients with optimal medical care, through testing and diagnosis. This new joint research agreement will lead to the establishment of early detection technology. This will improve Sysmex's portfolio of diagnostic technology and help to attain the goal of effective "disease management" ranging from early detection to treatment support and relapse prevention.
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