Study to validate gene signature designed to predict outcomes in follicular lymphoma WELLESLEY, Mass., Sept. 15
WELLESLEY, Mass., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Xceed Molecular, a pioneer in
the development of cost-effective, easy-to-use gene-expression analysis
systems, announced that Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, is
the latest high-profile institution to implement Xceed's Ziplex System as a
critical tool to advance its translational research. Harriet Feilotter, Ph.D.,
FCCMG, of the University's Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, is
the principal investigator of a study that will use the Ziplex System to
validate her team's gene expression signature to predict the clinical outcomes
in follicular lymphoma.
The most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for one in four
of all cases, follicular lymphoma is a slow-growing cancer that arises from
B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and mainly affects older adults --
men and women in equal numbers. The mean age of diagnosis is between 50 and 60
years of age and because its symptoms are subtle in its earliest stages, the
disease often can remain untreated for a long time before it becomes
symptomatic. Although most patients have good outcomes and can live long and
productive lives, in a substantial subset of patients, the disease can take a
more aggressive course, resulting in shorter survival times.
"The work that Dr. Feilotter and her team at Queen's University have been
doing to develop novel diagnostic and prognostic tools in cancer shows great
promise, and we are excited to be a part of it," said Xceed President and CEO,
David Deems. "Her follicular lymphoma research, which includes the use of both
archival and fresh frozen tissues as sources of samples, has implications far
beyond this particular research study. We look forward to a productive
partnership."
Said Dr. Feilotter, "Our previous research identified a number of genes
whose expression levels in primary follicular lymphoma were correlated with a
five-year outcome. The Ziplex System will facilitate and streamline the
critical next phase of our research to validate the signature. Currently there
are no molecular diagnostic tools on the market that can predict which primary
tumors will be aggressive. Having an easy way to accurately categorize an
individual patient's risk will help clinicians determine the treatment plan
that is most likely to result in a positive health outcome."
The Ziplex System is rapidly becoming the standard platform for the
nation's leading institutions performing translational research. Xceed
designed the Ziplex System with turnkey functionality and significant advances
in automation, array format, fluidics, parallel sample processing, and
analytics to minimize complexity, user interaction, and variability between
users and sites.
About Xceed Molecular (http://www.XceedMolecular.com)
Xceed's vision is to advance molecular diagnostics by successfully
translating novel multiplex tests into routine clinical practice and to create
robust diagnostic solutions to improve disease outcomes. Our products comprise
the Ziplex System for automated gene-expression analysis (available in the US
and Canada for research use only), gene expression services, and
pre-configured arrays -- Xpress Chips(TM). Xceed is also developing
multiplexed genomic tests for the Ziplex platform, both internally and with
strategic partners. Xceed's R&D and manufacturing are headquartered in
Toronto, Ontario, with executive offices in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
About Queen's University (http://www.queensu.ca)
Established by Royal Charter of Queen Victoria in 1841, Queen's University
was the earliest degree-granting institution in the united Province of Canada.
Today, Queen's is one of Canada's leading universities, with an international
reputation for scholarship, research, social purpose, spirit and diversity.
The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine of Queen's University is
affiliated with the University Hospitals Kingston. Its graduate program
provides comprehensive training in basic and translational biomedical research
and offers residency programs in anatomic, general, and hematopathology.
Departmental research programs are focused on the understanding of the
molecular pathogenesis of disease and the design and implementation of new
therapeutic strategies.
Xceed Media Contact: Caroline Grossman -- 781.771.5579 --
caroline.grossman@gmail.com
Company Contact: Susan Josey -- 972-317-8948 --
sjosey@xceedmolecular.com
SOURCE Xceed Molecular
