EKF Diagnostics Study Using PointMan Technology Published In Journal

LONDON (Alliance News) - EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC on Thursday said the results from a study involving its PointMan DNA enrichment technology have been accepted for publication in 'Clinical Cancer Research', a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The study, which brought together experts from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The University of Texas, and Weill Cornell Medical in New York, used EKF's PointMan DNA enrichment technology for the detection of genetic variations in circulating tumour cells or circulating tumour DNA in blood samples from lung cancer patients.

The study showed that liquid biopsy, which uses blood as the sample source, is a realistic diagnostic opportunity with significant advantages over tissue biopsy for the detection of treatable cancer mutations.

A successful outcome from the research would mean that clinicians could use regular blood tests to monitor progress rather than painful and intrusive lung biopsies.

"This is the first published article to feature PointMan and, importantly, the authors are primarily from four US cancer centres that are instrumental in the 'Stand Up to Cancer' programme. These results show that liquid biopsy is well on the way to becoming a realistic diagnostic alternative to tissue biopsy, particularly when several samples need to be taken during the treatment period. Importantly this study shows that PointMan enrichment technology could become an essential part of routine blood tests for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring," Chief Executive Julian Baines said in a statement.

Shares in EKF were untraded Thursday morning, last quoted at 21.25 pence.

By Karolina Kaminska; karolinakaminska@alliancenews.com @KarolinaAllNews

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