Parsortix Validation for Colon Cancer

RNS Number : 3810Z

Angle PLC

15 March 2012

 



For immediate release

15 March 2012

ANGLE plc

("ANGLE" or "the Company")

Parsortix Update

VALIDATION FOR COLON CANCER   

ANGLE plc (AIM: AGL), the technology commercialisation company, is delighted to announce that it has achieved another important milestone by confirming that its Parsortix cell separation device can capture colon cancer cells.

The ability to capture colon cancer cells creates the possibility of developing an effective, non-invasive screening technique to enable the early diagnosis and monitoring of colo-rectal cancer.

ANGLE has previously demonstrated that its Parsortix separation technology can capture cultured breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer cells added to blood (spiked blood).  New experiments have shown that the Parsortix separation technology can also capture cultured colon cancer cells.

This new validation is a further important step towards demonstrating that the Parsortix separation technology can capture any solid tumour cancers without the need for modification or dependence on cancer specific antibodies, unlike existing antibody affinity based technology. 

According to a study published in The Lancet in 2010 led by the Royal Marsden hospital, a world-leading cancer research centre, (the "Study"), more than 1 million individuals every year develop colo-rectal cancer (cancer that starts in either the colon or rectum), and the mortality rate is nearly 33% in the developed world.  Colo-rectal cancer is unpredictable and arises without warning.  Survival is directly related to how early the cancer is detected and is poor for symptomatic cancers (where the patient has experienced symptoms), as these are typically quite advanced.

Consequently, early identification of colo-rectal cancer is key to achieving an improved outcome.  The Study states that population screening offers the best prospects for reduction in mortality rates.  The primary screening mechanisms currently available are limited to the faecal occult blood test (examination of faeces to detect small amounts of blood) and colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy screening (the endoscopic examination of the colon and rectum with a camera on a flexible tube).

The faecal occult blood test is a relatively insensitive screening method, whereas colonoscopy is associated with a higher risk of serious complications and about 48 hours are needed for bowel preparation and recovery from sedation.  Population screening with colonoscopy also presents human resource and cost issues.  Neither of these methods of screening is easily applied for mass-screening of healthy people.

Effective screening is essential to reduce the incidence and mortality rates of colo-rectal cancer.  Screening techniques currently available are unpleasant, invasive and not always conclusive.  If the Parsortix separation device can be used to capture colo-rectal cancer cells in patient blood, it may be possible to develop a simple blood test to detect this cancer whilst it remains asymptomatic (i.e. before the patient is aware of any symptoms).  This would enable a better medical outcome, be less intrusive for the patient and be more efficient and less expensive than current screening techniques.

Development of the Parsortix separation technology is proceeding to plan and we are on track with the next key milestones, which are:

·     Validation of the separation device for other cancer types, particularly those where the existing antibody affinity capture technology is unable to capture CTCs, such as ovarian cancer;

·     The development of new separation device designs to allow ease of use in the laboratory addressing critical factors of increasing the volume of blood that can be screened and the speed of blood flow through the device; 

·     Independent third party validation of the performance of the Parsortix CTC separation device by leading cancer research centres including the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research; and  

·     Development and launch of the Parsortix cancer diagnostic product for research purposes, with initial sales to cancer research centres and pharmaceutical companies developing cancer drugs.

ANGLE's Founder and Chief Executive, Andrew Newland, commented:

"The successful capture and identification of cultured colon cancer cells added to blood opens up the possibility that the Parsortix separation device may become a routine screening option for the early detection of colo-rectal cancer, which is simple, effective and affordable."

For further information:

ANGLE plc	01483 685830
Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director
Cenkos Securities Stephen Keys, Adrian Hargrave (Nominated adviser) Andy Roberts (Sales)	020 7397 8900
Buchanan Mark Court, Sophie Cowles	020 7466 5000
Scott Harris Stephen Scott, Harry Dee	0207 653 0030

 

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