Abbott announced that it will expand its existing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals to include the development of an additional companion diagnostic test in support of GSK’s cancer immunotherapy research program.

The existing agreements between the two companies, announced in July 2009 and March 2010, focused on the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to screen non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma tumors for expression of the MAGE-A3 antigen. Under the expanded agreement, Abbott will develop a PCR test for use on the Abbott m2000rt instrument to screen non-small cell lung cancer tumors for the expression of the PRAME antigen. PRAME is a melanoma antigen that is expressed in 69% of non-small cell lung cancer cases, as well as in a variety of cancer types, including melanoma, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancer, with limited expression in normal cells.

MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in a variety of cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung, head and neck, and bladder cancer, with no expression in normal cells. Expression of the MAGE-A3 gene has been observed in testicular cells but without antigen presentation capabilities. MAGE-A3 protein has been in-licensed by GSK from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.

Release Date: Nov. 28, 2011
Source: Abbott