Singapore: Cytocell has developed new molecular cytogenetic test to identify the presence of gene rearrangements associated with a specific form of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These rearrangements in a gene, known as ROS1 (c-ros oncogene 1), have been implicated in the formation of cancerous tumors in patients with NSCLC.

ALK gene rearrangements have been shown to respond to therapies that block the ALK pathway. Over two percent of those patients are thought to have ROS1 gene rearrangements and have been shown to respond to ALK/MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as Xalkori(crizotinib).

The Cytocell ROS1 Breakapart FISH probe uses Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) technology to detect rearrangements of the ROS1 gene on chromosome six in band 6q22 in tumors. The new Cytocell assay will complement the existing Cytocell Pathology range which also includes the equally important ALK Breakapart FISH probe. It is anticipated that both FISH probes will be used for research, testing, and to support evaluations of new therapies for NSCLC.

Dr Martin Lawrie, MD, Cytocell, said that, "Understanding the mechanisms of lung cancer and developing new tests that further increase our knowledge are key to our strategic focus at Cytocell. Through the utilization of Cytocell's BACs collection and the myProbes customised probe service we were able to offer this probe to several key researchers before launching it as a catalogue item."