A Published Study Shows the Potential of microRNAs to be Used as
Biomarkers for Diagnosing the Primary Tumor Site in Patients With Cancer of
Unknown Primary (CUP)
Rosetta Genomics is Currently Developing a Technology That Will be the
Basis of a CUP Diagnostic Test That Will be Submitted for Regulatory Approval
by a CLIA-certified lab in the US in 2008
Approximately 70,000 Patients in the US are Diagnosed With CUP Each Year
Only After Several Tests Have Failed to Identify the Origin of the Cancer;
Accurate Diagnosis for CUP can be Critical in Determining Optimal Treatment
Decisions
REHOVOT, Israel and JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, March 24
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), announced
today that the results of a research study, conducted by its scientists and
collaborators and describing the use of microRNAs in accurately identifying
tumor origin, have been published in Nature Biotechnology. . The study
findings demonstrate microRNAs' significant potential to act as effective
biomarkers that may be applied in a diagnostic test designed to identify the
primary tumor site in patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Rosetta
Genomics is currently developing a technology that will be the basis of a CUP
diagnostic tests that will be submitted by a CLIA certified lab in the US in
2008..
"Accurately identifying the origin of a metastasis in CUP patients can be
critical for determining appropriate treatment, and currently presents a true
unmet diagnostic need for patients and physicians," said Amir Avniel,
President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "This research demonstrates the
tremendous potential of microRNAs as effective biomarkers, and is a
significant step towards the development of the first microRNA-based
diagnostic tests."
Each year approximately 70,000 patients in the United States are
diagnosed with CUP. A patient typically is diagnosed with CUP only after
undergoing a wide range of tests, including various imaging tests such as
x-ray, CT, MRI, and PET, which have failed to identify the origin of the
cancer. Accurately identifying the origin of a metastasis can be critical in
guiding treatment decisions.
The study results published in Nature Biotechnology describe the
development and test validation of microRNA expression profiles for
identification of tumor origin. Rosetta Genomics' scientists measured
microRNA expression in RNA extracted from hundreds of formalin-fixed,
paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from more than 20 different known primary
tumor tissues and metastases. These results were used to build a classifier
which assigns a primary site to a cancer sample based on the microRNA
expression in the sample. The paper demonstrates, based on a blinded test
set, that the overall sensitivity of this classifier is approximately 85%,
with two-thirds of the samples being classified with high-confidence,
reaching accuracy exceeding 90% and specificity of 99%.
"The recognition of our research work by a leading, peer-reviewed journal
like Nature Biotechnology is truly exciting," noted Dr. Dalia Cohen, Chief
Scientific Officer of Rosetta Genomics. "As a leader in the microRNA field,
Rosetta Genomics continues to advance and develop microRNA-based technologies
that can potentially be applied in a wide range of diagnostics and
therapeutics."
The paper, "MicroRNAs accurately identify cancer tissue origin" will be
available on Nature Biotechnology's website on Sunday, March 23rd, and will
also appear in the April 2008 Volume 26 No 4 edition of the publication.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, small
RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basis
for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases are
caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectively
regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treat
a wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have been shown to
have different expression in various pathological conditions. As a result,
these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many
diseases.
About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG) is a leader in the field of microRNA.
Founded in 2000, the company's integrative research platform combining
bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the
discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs .
Building on its strong IP position and proprietary platform technologies,
Rosetta Genomics is working to develop a full range of microRNA-based
diagnostic and therapeutic tools, focusing primarily on cancer and various
women's health indications. The company expects that the first microRNA
diagnostic tests applying its technology will be launched by CLIA-certified
laboratories in the United States in 2008.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta's future
expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements
relating to the role of microRNAs in human physiology and disease, and the
potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease constitute
forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions
under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results
may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking
statements as a result of various important factors, including risks related
to: Rosetta's approach to discover and develop novel diagnostics and
therapeutic tools, which is unproven and may never lead to marketable
products or services; Rosetta's ability to fund and the results of further
pre-clinical and clinical trials; Rosetta's ability to obtain, maintain and
protect the intellectual property utilized by Rosetta's products; Rosetta's
ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to defend its patent
portfolio against challenges from third parties; Rosetta's ability to obtain
additional funding to support its business activities; Rosetta's dependence
on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and
distribution of products; Rosetta's ability to successfully develop its
candidate tools, products and services, all of which are in early stages of
development; Rosetta's ability to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals
that may be required for its products and services; the ability to obtain
coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for the products and
services comprising Rosetta's technology; competition from others using
technology similar to Rosetta's and others developing products for similar
uses; Rosetta's dependence on collaborators; and Rosetta's short operating
history; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors"
section of Rosetta's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December
31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition,
any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta's views only as of the date
of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of
any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements unless required by law.
Contact: Media
Rachel Spielman
T: +1-212-583-2714
E: media@rosettagenomics.com
Investors
Ron Kamienchick
T: +1-646-509-1893
E: investors@rosettagenomics.com
SOURCE Rosetta Genomics Ltd
-0- 03/24/2008
/CONTACT: Contact: Media, Rachel Spielman, T: +1-212-583-2714, E:
media@rosettagenomics.com. Investors, Ron Kamienchick, T: +1-646-509-1893, E:
investors@rosettagenomics.com/
(ROSG)
CO: Rosetta Genomics Ltd
ST: New Jersey, Israel
IN: BIO HEA MTC
SU: SVY
UK
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2336 03/24/2008 08:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com