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SEQUENOM Announces Identification of Second Breast Cancer Gene Tuesday February 1, 3:37 pm ET Variations in NuMA Gene Influence Breast Cancer Risk
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SEQUENOM, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQNM - News) announced the discovery of genetic variations in the gene encoding the nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) that affect breast cancer risk. Published today in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), the study entitled "Association of the NuMA region on chromosome 11q13 with breast cancer susceptibility" reports that individuals with a coding variation in the NuMA gene have more than a 2-fold higher risk of developing breast cancer than those without it. This risk is increased to more than 4-fold for cases with a family history of cancer. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040415/SQNMLOGO) The Company conducted a genome-wide, large-scale association study with a set of over 500 Caucasian cases and controls and 25,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The initial association study was subsequently tested in two large, independent replication studies that were conducted in order to validate the initial findings. SEQUENOM previously announced the identification of variations in the ICAM gene region that signify a higher risk for breast and prostate cancer. In addition, the Company is completing research that is expected to identify two additional important gene regions associated with breast cancer, each with comparable impact on disease risk. Previously, the Company announced the identification of variations in the ICAM gene region that confer a higher risk for breast and prostate cancer. Combined, these genetic discoveries might become a valuable diagnostic panel to determine breast cancer predisposition in the population at large.
"SEQUENOM is strategically staking a position in the area of genetic cancer research. We intend to commercialize these discoveries through the development of breast cancer predisposition tests," said Toni Schuh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of SEQUENOM. "We plan to retain the diagnostic rights to our genetic discoveries and offer outlicensing opportunities for the genes as therapeutic targets. The identification of variations in the NuMA and ICAM gene regions as well as two undisclosed gene regions, may lead to significantly improved methods for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of the disease.
NuMA is a nuclear protein involved in early cell death, and prior research has suggested that the gene may play a role in leukemia, making it an interesting candidate for cancer predisposition. SEQUENOM's findings indicate that NuMA might be involved in several cancer types and that common variations influence breast cancer risk.
Designed to quickly and accurately perform high throughput genetic analysis, SEQUENOM's proprietary MassARRAY system and its large collection of SNP reagents made the discovery of the NuMA genetic variations possible. The Company's success in discovering and replicating genes associated with disease offers compelling evidence that large scale association studies can successfully facilitate genetic discovery for complex human disorders. SEQUENOM has identified and validated more than 60 high confidence candidate gene regions in 11 major disease areas.
About SEQUENOM
SEQUENOM is committed to providing the best genetic analysis products that translate genomic science into superior solutions for biomedical research, molecular medicine and agricultural applications. The Company's proprietary MassARRAY system is a high-performance DNA analysis platform that efficiently and precisely measures the amount of genetic target material and variations therein. The system is able to deliver reliable and specific data from complex biological samples and from genetic target material that is only available in trace amounts.
SEQUENOM(R) and MassARRAY(R) are registered trademarks of SEQUENOM, Inc.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements related to SEQUENOM's expectation to identify two additional important gene regions associated with breast cancer with comparable impact on disease risk, SEQUENOM's genetic discoveries becoming a valuable diagnostic panel to determine breast cancer predisposition in the population at large, SEQUENOM's intentions to commercialize its discoveries through the development of breast cancer predisposition tests, retain diagnostic rights and offer outlicensing opportunities for its genes as therapeutic targets, and statements related to significantly improved methods for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the development and commercialization of any new technology relating to or involving diagnostic panels and tests and treatment of disease, and other risks detailed from time to time in SEQUENOM's SEC filings, including SEQUENOM's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that is likely to change and speak only as of the date hereof.
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funny about today...i bought in last week on this news and it didn't go...so i held cuz i like this (been holding some for 2 years too).. maybe there is more news to come?
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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