| If this is not your name, click here. | | |
| | Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague | | |
| | | ![]() MicroRNA-Based Test Identifies Squamous Lung Cancer With 96% Sensitivity NEW YORK -- March 10, 2009 -- A microRNA-based diagnostic test can objectively identify squamous lung cancer with 96% sensitivity, according to a study released early online and appearing in an upcoming print issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Recent advances in treatment of lung cancer require greater accuracy in the subclassification of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Targeted therapies that inhibit tumour angiogenesis pose higher risk for adverse response in cases of squamous cell carcinoma, according to background information from the article. Harvey Pass, MD, New York University (NYU) Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, and colleagues used high-throughput microarray to measure microRNA expression levels in 252 patients with lung cancer. The researchers identified hsa-miR-205 as a highly specific marker for squamous cell lung carcinoma. A microRNA-based qRT-PCR assay that measures expression of hsa-miR-205 reached sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 90% in the identification of squamous cell lung carcinomas from NSCLC. "The results of this study are very encouraging," said Dr. Pass. "The study has demonstrated that a microRNA biomarker successfully identifies squamous lung cancer with high reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity." "The study certainly demonstrates the power of microRNAs in correctly classifying lung cancer and hopefully can immediately translate into more accurate choices of targeted therapies as well as cytotoxics for the disease." SOURCE: New York University Langone Medical Center
|