Recent discovery by Falini and Mecucci at Institute of Hematology, University of Perugia, showed that about 60% of adult AML with normal karyotype have a mutation in the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene
Molecular diagnostic company Ipsogen has signed a co-exclusive license agreement with Xenomics to enable it to develop, manufacture and commercialise research and diagnostic products based on the analysis of NPM1 mutations for the stratification and monitoring of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
AML is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease with about 13,500 new cases per year in the USA and a similar number in Europe.
The disease subgrouping by cytogenetic karyotyping indicates patient prognosis.
However, in almost half of AML cases the karyotype appears normal.
"This agreement with Xenomics enables Ipsogen to further expand its unique range of diagnostic products dedicated to the disease management of blood cancers" said Vincent Fert, president and CEO of Ipsogen.
"NPM1 products will integrate Ipsogen quantitative and standardised technology (FusionQuant and ProfileQuant) to warrant the highest level of precision and quality for clinical laboratories and patients.
"The NPM1 test results have the potential to help physicians with prognosis of the disease and with the monitoring of the patient response to therapy".
"Xenomics is committed to expanding patient access to the NPM1 marker worldwide," said Samuil Umansky, chief scientific officer of Xenomics.
"With this acute disease, physicians need a rapid assessment of patient prognosis for effective use of chemotherapy.
"NPM1 provides an excellent test for monitoring the minimal residual disease and patients in response to anti-tumour therapy."
