Download OncoE6TM Bernama Press Release 22nd May 2014

OncoE6TM Bernama Press Release
22nd May 2014
FARMASIA LAUNCHES NEW TEST FOR CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Thursday 22/05/2014
The OncoE6 Cervical Test Predicts Development of Cervical Cancer, Suitable for
a “Screen and Treat” Point of Care Strategy
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- FARMASIA today launched the Arbor Vita
OncoE6™ Cervical Cancer Screening Test in Malaysia. Cervical cancer is the number two
cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. More than 80% of deaths occur in the
developing world, where no screening is available. Screening can save these lives because
cervical cancer is curable when detected early. Current screening methods are sensitive
but not sufficiently specific to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous activity. In the US, of
100,000 women tested, 23,000 will be hr-HPV positive. But only 6 women will have cancer.
Current technologies are neither portable nor accurate enough for a "screen and treat"
point of care strategy. Typically, extensive and resource costly work up must be performed
before treatment can be administered because there are too many false
positives. Investigators of the START-UP clinical trial reported that the Arbor Vita
Corporation (AVC) OncoE6TM Cervical Test is significantly better than current technologies
at
predicting
which
women
will
develop
cervical
cancer/pre-cancers.
The OncoE6™ Cervical Test is robust, simple to use, accurate and rapid, permitting a same
day "screen and treat" strategy. The time from collection of sample to results is
approximately 2.5 hours. A positive OncoE6™ Cervical Test result not only identifies high
grade cervical disease, but is also predictive of future high risk of cervical cancer while a
negative OncoE6™ Test result is highly predictive of future regression. The OncoE6 Test
is the only test that specifically identifies the viral E6 oncoprotein that causes cervical
cancer
elevated
E6
oncoprotein
correlates
to
cancerous
activity.
The high specificity and predictive value of the OncoE6™ Cervical Test is key to cost
effectiveness, allowing for the best utilisation of scarce resources for follow up of women
for
treatment
and
those
who
are
at
risk
for
cervical
disease.
The OncoE6™ Cervical Test is simple, easy to use, "dipstick" format, requires no
refrigeration, minimal training and can be run anywhere in the world. It is highly accurate
(99% specificity) and is probably the most sensitive dipstick biomarker test in the world.
The launch in Kuala Lumpur, of the OncoE6 Cervical Test Kit was attended by over 100
clinicians and representatives from leading laboratories who have already shown keen
interest
in
adding
the
OncoE6
to
their
list
of
screening
tests.
FARMASIA Director and Head of Communications and Marketing, Zohrah Al Aidruss said
“The ONCOE6 Cervical Test promises to identify women in need of clinical follow-up among
the many more with clinically irrelevant HPV infections. We are optimistic that the OncoE6
will have a significant position to be implemented as a “screen & treat” policy.
About the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and OncoE6™ Cervical Test
Cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Most HPV infections do not progress to cancer and
clear without treatment (greater than 99%). When HPV-infected cells become pre-cancer
or cancer, the virus infected cells make the E6 protein in larger amounts. As the
oncogenic driver, the E6 protein is the most informative biomarker to distinguish
infection from cancer.
About Farmasia Sdn Bhd
FARMASIA Sdn Bhd, is a Malaysian distribution company, whose major business includes
the distribution of advanced medical devices to government and private health
institutions, and the retail sector.
www.farmasia.com.my
About Arbor Vita Corporation
Arbor Vita Corporation, USA was founded in 1998 to focus on the discovery,
development and commercialization of a novel class of proteomic-based diagnostics and
therapeutics.
www.arborvita.com
SOURCE: Farmasia Sdn Bhd
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Farmasia Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia
Director & Head of Communications & Marketing
NAME : Ms Zohrah Al Aidruss
TEL
: +60 12 3720224 / +60 3 62032334
EMAIL : [email protected]
--BERNAMA
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