Blood-based OncoCEE-BR™ Platform now Includes Estrogen Receptor Testing
SAN DIEGO, June 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC ), a molecular oncology diagnostics company specializing in biomarker analysis of cell-free circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), today announced the launch of its estrogen receptor (ER) status testing on CTCs that will be performed at the Company's CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory.
The launch of ER status testing, in conjunction with the Company's HER2 receptor status test, will offer health care providers an additional testing option when a tumor biopsy is unavailable or unsafe. For patients with recurring or newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer, accurate identification of hormone (ER) and HER2 receptors status plays a major role in treatment outcomes.
"The evaluation of hormone and HER2 receptor status is the standard of care in determining the course of therapy for patients with primary and metastatic breast cancer," said Michael Nall, President and CEO of Biocept. "We believe that our ability to identify hormone and HER2 receptor status will provide diagnostic strategies that could further confirm or even alter the course of a patient's therapy. In addition, our test evaluates the status of these important markers using a simple, non-invasive blood test."
"Our validation study for hormone status provided significant insights into hormone status as it relates to primary and metastatic breast cancers," said Farideh Bischoff Ph.D., Vice President, Translational Research and Clinical Development at Biocept. "We were able to correlate both concordance and discordance of primary biopsy tissue and metastatic biopsy tissue with the CTC status of estrogen receptors."
About Biocept, Inc.
Biocept, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif., is a commercial-stage oncology diagnostics company focused on providing information on patients' tumors to physicians using its proprietary technology platform to help improve individual patient treatment. Biocept has developed proprietary technology platforms for capture and analysis of circulating tumor DNA, both in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and in plasma (cell free tumor DNA). A standard blood sample is utilized to provide physicians with important prognostic and predictive information to enhance individual treatment of their patients with cancer. Biocept currently offers its OncoCEE-BR TM test for breast cancer and plans to introduce CLIA validated tests for lung, colorectal, prostate and other solid tumors based on its proprietary technology platforms over the coming months.
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Investor Contact: The Ruth Group David Burke (646) 536-7009 Media Contact: The Ruth Group Melanie Sollid-Penton (646) 536-7023
