This newly sponsored research project will be jointly conducted at laboratories at the School of Medicine and Arrayit Corp. in Sunnyvale, Calif., and will provide for a much larger test population than previously studied in prior related research. Michael Tainsky, Ph.D., professor of pathology at the School of Medicine and director of molecular biology and genetics at Karmanos Cancer Institute, is principal investigator of the six-month project, working in collaboration with Mark Schena, Ph.D., president and chief science officer of Arrayit.
"For more than six years, Wayne State University has used Arrayit's microarray manufacturing technology to help identify key biomarkers using a novel process that has allowed us to isolate biomarkers unique to ovarian cancer," Tainsky said. "As a result, we are now in late stage development of a simple blood test for the early detection of ovarian cancer that holds tremendous potential to materially -- and perhaps profoundly -- impact the survivability and quality of life of ovarian cancer victims."
The agreement with Wayne State University grants Arrayit exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize a novel diagnostic test using biomarkers developed by Tainsky; Judith Abrams, Ph.D., professor of internal medicine for the School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Institute; Sorin Draghici, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Madhumita Chatterjee, Ph.D., senior research scientist in the School of Medicine. The test aims to effectively screen for early stage ovarian cancer in women who are not yet symptomatic.
"Through the combined efforts of Dr. Tainsky's and our research teams, Arrayit Corp. will perfect a panel of biomarkers printed in a microarray that will enable detection of ovarian cancer prior to the appearance of any symptoms," Schena said. "This research project is an important extension of Arrayit's ongoing relationship with Dr. Tainsky and Wayne State University, and should provide an unequivocal validation of the positive results we have achieved thus far, ultimately supporting and enhancing Arrayit Diagnostic's sales and marketing strategy."
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 21,550 women will be diagnosed with and 14,600 women will die of ovarian cancer in 2009, making it the fourth leading cause of death in women in the United States. Based on rates from 2004 to 2006, 1.4 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetime. The disease presents with largely nonspecific symptoms during the initial stages of cancer progression, however there is no adequate screening or diagnostic test for early-stage detection. As a result, most ovarian cancers are diagnosed only when later-stage symptoms manifest and the disease has metastasized to other parts of the body. The five-year survival rate for late stage diagnosis is less than 20 percent, compared to an approximate 90 percent survival rate if the disease is identified at the earliest stages.
Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://www.research.wayne.edu.