NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – VolitionRx today announced a collaboration with the University of Oxford on a clinical study to develop biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis using the firm's Nucleosomics platform.
The prospective study will use the firm's NuQ assays, based on the firm's Nucleosomics technology, which identifies and measures nucleosomes in the bloodstream. The partners aim to develop a simple blood test that would help clinicians diagnose endometriosis at an earlier stage.
"We look forward to assessing the potential of our test in the diagnosis of endometriosis and to build on our ongoing work in cancer screening by exploring applications of our NuQ assays in diseases beyond cancer," Mark Eccleston, collaborations manager of VolitionRx, said.
Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue, which makes up the inner lining of the uterus, grows in other parts of the body. There are currently no clinically useful biomarkers available for this condition, meaning diagnosis is only possible by performing minimally invasive surgery, the firm said in a statement.
The University of Oxford will provide Namur, Belgium-based VolitionRx with serum and plasma samples from approximately 350 patients with the disease and 150 control patients over a period of two years.
Christian Becker and Krina Zondervan, professors in the OB/GYN department of the University of Oxford and co-directors of the Endometriosis CaRe Center, will lead collection of the samples, which is anticipated to end in 2016.
Becker said that identifying non-invasive biomarkers for the disease is "an essential step towards improving patient care."
VolitionRx announced last month that it was working with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology to evaluate the use of a NuQ assay to distinguish anaplastic prostate cancer from typical castration-resistance prostate cancer.