Genetic Alterations Linked To Cancer In Some Blo...( . We decided to test serum samples ba...)

. "We decided to test serum samples based on evidence from scientists two decades ago which pointed to increased levels of serum DNA in cancer patients," Sidransky said. "More recent studies suggest that cancer cells circulating in the blood may die and release DNA, which is carried through the bloodstream by plasma."

In an accompanying study in Nature Medicine, a team from Switzerland (also co-authors of the Hopkins study) found genetic alterations in the blood plasma of over 70 percent of patients with small cell lung cancer. The authors speculate that the higher presence of alterations may be indicative of the high propensity of this cancer to spread.

In addition to Sidransky, other participants in the Hopkins study include Drs. Homaira Nawroz and Wayne Koch from the Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Cancer Research at Johns Hopkins, and Drs. Philippe Anker and Maurice Stroun from the Laboratory of Plant Biochemistry and Physiology at the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

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Funding for this research was provided by a lung cancer SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) grant from the National Cancer Institute and by Oncor, Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD. Under an agreement between Oncor and The Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Sidransky is entitled to a share of sales royalty received by the University from Oncor. Under that agreement, the University and Dr. Sidransky also have received Oncor stock, which, under University policy, cannot be traded until two years after the first commercial sales of the products related to this research. Dr. Sidransky also serves as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board and has stock options in OncorMed, Inc., an Oncor subsidiary, which is commercializing some of Oncor's technology. The terms of this agreement have been reviewed and approved by the University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.

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Contact: Karin Twilde
ktwilde@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
410-955-1287
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
28-Aug-1996


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