(Alliance News) - Angle PLC said the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf has published results for a non-small cell lung cancer study that uses Angle's Parsortix system.
The study, which investigates the causes of brain metastasis, shows Alcam - activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule - plays a role in causing brain metastasis.
"The study has shown that the Alcam protein expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), harvested by Parsortix, matches the protein expression in brain metastatic tissue biopsies," Angle explained.
This suggests, the company said, its Parsortix liquid biopsy blood test could potentially help assess a patient suffering from brain metastasis, contributing further medical information.
Angle continued: "The new findings are particularly notable for Angle because CTCs from brain metastatic patients are generally EpCAM negative, displaying mesenchymal and stem cell traits. These cells cannot be effectively captured by competing CTC systems that are based on antibody-based capture principles, which require EpCAM positive cells."
The company will now look to develop a Parsortix test for Alcam protein expression on CTCs.
Founder & Chief Executive Andrew Newland said: "This is tremendous work by the world-class Hamburg-Eppendorf cancer centre. The potential of staining CTCs harvested by Parsortix for Alcam protein expression provides an excellent opportunity for Angle where Parsortix has unique competitive advantages. Brain metastases cannot be accessed for biopsy without highly invasive procedures and a liquid biopsy alternative would be of great benefit to patients to inform treatment."
Shares in Angle closed up 4.7% in London on Tuesday at 67.00 pence each.
By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com
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