Cancer cells have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from normal cells. Most tumor markers are neither sensitive nor specific enough to screen for cancer or to diagnose cancer without the support of other clinical tests. While a number of tumor markers have been identified in the past, they have generally been found to lack sensitivity and specificity for different types of cancers. There is a real call for new tests that allow unambiguous cancer diagnoses to be made at an early stage. The best tests will be simple and non-invasive assays that allow rapid and accurate diagnosis of the type of cancer and its stage.
To address this need, Biotron is developing sensitive, rapid, non-invasive assays to detect and diagnose specific types of cancer. Research undertaken by the C-Test Project team has led to the profiling of sera from patients with different types of cancer, showing that the glycolipid expression pattern is unique between cancer types. The Company has developed proprietary technology for extraction and analysis of carbohydrates from blood, and has developed algorithms for analyzing the expression profile of these molecules. Trials have been undertaken to demonstrate the utility of this glycomics approach for diagnosis of prostate and colorectal cancer.
Analysis of biomarkers in the blood for diagnosis of diseases such as cancer is receiving increased attention in the scientific and medical fields. Biotron's technology is well placed to take advantage of this upsurge of interest internationally. Biotron has a strong competitive position and has filed international patent applications to protect the C-Test technology platform.
In 2005, Biotron was awarded a $200,000 Knowledge Fund grant from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government for progressing the C-Test cancer diagnostic technology.
