Precision Therapeutics’ ChemoFx test feasible in cervical cancer

Precision Therapeutics announces the acceptance of a new abstract on the ChemoFx® in vitro drug response marker for publication in conjunction with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting. The study, titled, In Vitro Chemoresponse Assay for Patients with Cervical Cancer, reports the results of ChemoFx® testing in primary, metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. A total of 273 specimens were evaluable for response to single chemotherapeutic agents carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, epirubicin, fluorouracil, ifosfamide, irinotecan, topotecan and vinorelbine. Doublets tested included carboplatin/paclitaxel and cisplatin/topotecan.

Results showed that the ChemoFx® test is feasible in cervical cancer, and that overall response was significantly greater in primary cancers than in recurrent cancers, aligning with clinical research on the development of cross-resistant disease. It was also found that chemo response to the single agent cisplatin (58%) was lower than most other single agents in all 3 patient groups. Irinotecan revealed an exceptional response in all 3 patient groups indicating an opportunity for future trials.

"Cervical cancer causes more years of life lost than any other cancer in women," says Dr. Giuseppe Del Priore, lead author of the abstract. "For years, Indiana University has used similar results in pursuit of reduced chemotherapy cost and toxicity, to avoid useless treatments, and possibly even increase effective treatments. We are very pleased to have been instrumental in bringing this information to other professionals for the benefit of their patients as well. "