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QIAGEN Expands Liquid Biopsy Pipeline with RNA Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Test

QIAGEN
3 Apr 2017
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Industry news

QIAGEN N.V. today announced it is commercializing the Research use only AdnaTest Prostate Cancer Panel AR-V7 to detect the androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) from liquid biopsies to investigate resistance to potential drugs for advanced prostate cancer. QIAGEN has acquired an exclusive worldwide license from Johns Hopkins University for detecting the AR-V7 biomarker in all sample and cell types through nucleic acid tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or next-generation sequencing (NGS). Johns Hopkins researchers have used AdnaTest technology in studies to evaluate the expression of AR-V7 messenger RNA in prostate cancer patients.

“Our AdnaTest workflow unlocks an important biomarker for clinical research to provide for the development of prostate cancer diagnostics in the future. Providing accurate insights from circulating tumor cells in a blood sample, our AR-V7 solution is a significant addition to our portfolio of non-invasive liquid biopsies for Personalized Healthcare,” said Thierry Bernard, Senior Vice President and Head of QIAGEN’s Molecular Diagnostics Business Area. “We are pleased to partner with the pioneering researchers at Johns Hopkins in developing this workflow. We plan to make the AdnaTest kit commercially available this year, as a Sample to Insight solution for clinical researchers.”

Johns Hopkins researchers highlighted the role of AR-V7 variants in understanding response in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in a 2014 article in the New England Journal of Medicine. In the study, scientists used AdnaTest workflows for isolation, enrichment and detection of the AR-V7 marker from circulating tumor cells in blood samples using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

In 2015 QIAGEN acquired the AdnaTest technology for detecting RNA expression from circulating tumor cells (CTCs) obtained from blood samples as non-invasive liquid biopsies. QIAGEN is currently working with several pharmaceutical companies to field-test the assay for clinical research in prostate cancer. The agreement with Johns Hopkins provides QIAGEN the exclusive worldwide license for detection of the AR-V7 marker.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). About 1.1 million were diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide, with an estimated 307,000 deaths, in 2012, the most recent year for which statistics are available. In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 160,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, resulting in more than 26,000 deaths. About one in seven men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, and it is the third leading cause of cancer deaths for American men.

QIAGEN is a global leader in developing Sample to Insight workflows for non-invasive liquid biopsies in oncology, prenatal testing and other applications. QIAGEN is actively partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop companion diagnostics using liquid biopsies and PCR or NGS analysis of biomarkers for stratification or monitoring of patients. In 2015, QIAGEN introduced the first regulated companion diagnostic assay based on molecular biomarkers from circulating tumor DNA. QIAGEN also has collaborations underway using circulating tumor cells and exosomes collected from blood or plasma. Liquid biopsies are easier to perform, less risky and less expensive than tissue biopsies, and they can be repeated at regular intervals for monitoring of disease progression.

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Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. POCT includes: blood glucose testing, blood gas and electrolytes analysis, rapid coagulation testing (PT / INR), rapid cardiac markers diagnostics, drugs of abuse screening, urine strips testing, pregnancy testing, fecal occult blood analysis, food pathogens screening, hemoglobin diagnostics, infectious disease testing and cholesterol screening.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Gene Expression and Molecular CloningMolecular cloning is a set of techniques that utilizes vectors to transfer recombinant DNA into host cells and is an essential tool for investigating the expression of genes and proteins in bacterial or mammalian cells. A variety of vectors optimized for gene cloning and expression in a range of host organisms are available, alongside competent cells for genetic replication. Here, you can explore a range of molecular tools, high-quality genomic and cDNA libraries, premade clones, transformation and transfection reagents and mutagenesis or gene expression detection assays and expression arrays. Find the best gene expression and molecular cloning products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :Cancer ResearchCancer research aims to understand the mechanisms of cancer development and progression to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. From molecular biology to clinical trials, research spans a wide range of disciplines, including immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and drug discovery. Explore the best cancer research products in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Cancer DiagnosticsThere are a wide variety of diagnostic tests for cancer available, and this range continues to expand as our knowledge of cancer improves. Current diagnostic methods include biopsy, imaging and blood tests for known biomarkers. New methods in research development include liquid biopsies and cancer breathalyzers.Prostate CancerLiquid BiopsiesLiquid biopsies are non-invasive tests used to detect cancer and other diseases by analyzing blood or other bodily fluids. This technique is gaining popularity for early detection, monitoring treatment response, and detecting minimal residual disease. Explore liquid biopsy solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.RNARNA is a nucleic acid that plays a key role in gene expression and protein synthesis. It serves as a messenger between DNA and ribosomes, carrying genetic instructions to produce proteins. Advances in RNA-based therapies, such as mRNA vaccines and gene editing, have revolutionized treatment strategies for genetic disorders and infectious diseases. Explore RNA research tools and therapies in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check customer reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Biomarker DiscoveryClinical biomarkers refer to substances related to known medical conditions that can be accurately measured <i>in vitro</i>. Biomarkers can be used to diagnose presence of a disease and indicate disease severity. The discovery of new biomarkers is incredibly valuable in the field of diagnostics.

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QIAGEN Expands Liquid Biopsy Pipeline with RNA Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Test