NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) — Biocept said today that it has expanded its collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the area of ovarian cancer.
San Diego-based Biocept specializes in the analysis of biomarkers in cell-free circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells. The expansion of its collaboration with MD Anderson follows findings from a recent study in which MD Anderson researchers successfully used Biocept's OncoCEE platform in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. The results of the study were published in July in Cancer Cell.
The OncoCEE microfluidic device captures CTCs then evaluates the expression of the genomic marker HER3 (human epidermal growth factor 3) in ovarian cancer cells to provide insight into alternative routes of metastasis, Biocept said. According to a company spokesperson, Biocept and MD Anderson had previously collaborated on breast cancer studies.
In a statement, Biocept President and CEO Michael Nall said that Biocept believes the findings from the recently published study are valuable "as they help in our understanding of ovarian cancer metastasis and how to improve clinical management of these patients." He added that "partnerships with top-tier centers such as [MD Anderson] are a pillar of our growth strategy and we will continue to work to further develop our relationships with academic and research partners."