Single biomarkers have been used to detect malignant pleural mesothelioma early in asbestos-exposed individuals, but a panel of 13 biomarkers developed using a novel technology designed by SomaLogic appears to be far more sensitive and specific, according to data reported at the AACR Annual Meeting.
"This panel is based on the idea that certain DNAs can be fabricated that will bind selectively and specifically to certain proteins," said Harvey I. Pass, MD, Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at New York University Langone Medical Center and the NYU Cancer Institute, speaking at a news conference that highlighted promising cancer diagnostic techniques. "Those DNAs can be eluted off so the proteins are left at the end of the assay."
The study was conducted under the auspices of the National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Resource Network.
"Using SomaLogic's aptamer proteomics platform that measures 850 proteins, the 13-biomarker panel is capable of distinguishing malignant pleural mesothelioma from a high-risk asbestos-exposed population," he said.
In the initial study the proteomic assay was 80% sensitive in detecting cases that were Stage 1 or Stage 2, with a specificity of 100%.
Dr. Pass said he thought the technique would have the greatest impact in screening.
"We know that insulators, contractors, people who work with asbestos, are going to be those at highest risk, so we want to be able to screen them with a test that says either they've got a signal that they're developing a mesothelioma, or not."
And families with hereditary mesothelioma could be screened with the biomarker panel in addition to genetic linkage studies, he said.
Interestingly, he added, there are certain places in the world that have epidemic levels of mesothelioma, such as Cappidocia in Turkey-"People there built their houses with stones from the mountains contain fibers, and 50% of the people in these villages develop mesothelioma."