Genzyme
Genetics Offers Two New Tests To Detect Hereditary Risk Of Colon
CancerFRAMINGHAM, Mass., Jul 1, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Genzyme Genetics announced today that it is introducing two new
genetic tests designed to detect inherited gene mutations associated
with an increased risk of two types of hereditary colon cancer.
The first is HNPCC, or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. The
second is APC I1307K, or adenomatous polyposis coli. These two
tests are the first predispositional cancer screening services
offered by Genzyme Genetics.
The
Genzyme Genetics HNPCC test screens for mutations associated withthe
most common form of hereditary colon cancer, HNPCC, also known
as Lynch Syndrome. Mutations in five DNA mismatch repair genes
have been implicated in HNPCC. Two of these genes, hMLH1 and hMSH2,
contain approximately ninety percent of all detected mutations.
HNPCC accounts for between approximately 3 and 6 percent of all
colorectal cancers in the United States, oran estimated 4,000
to 8,000 cases every year.
The
APC I1307K test screens for a gene mutation associated with an
increased risk of colorectal cancer in Ashkenazi Jewish families.
The specific APC I1307K gene mutation occurs more frequently in
this population and has been found in approximately 28 percent
of Ashkenazi Jewish individuals who have both a personal history
and family history of colon cancer.
The
HNPCC and APC I1307K screening tests will be offered only through
comprehensive cancer centers to patients meeting strict clinical
criteria. The criteria includes families with an extensive history
of colorectal cancer or cancers associated with Lynch Syndrome,
and families with multiple cancer incidences across more than
one generation coupled with an earlier than usual age of cancer
onset.
"Through
the use of cutting-edge technology and advances in genetic information,
we can now offer doctors, hospitals, and patients powerful tools
in the prevention and fight against hereditary colon cancer,"
said Ann Merrifield, president, Genzyme Genetics. "The launch
of these two tests marks a strong entrance by Genzyme Genetics
into the predispositional cancer screening market and we anticipate
introducing other predispositional screening tests in thefuture."
The
two screening tests offer a significant advantage to doctors and
patients in the management and treatment of hereditary colon cancer.
Once alerted to a patient's predisposition to colon cancer, there
are specific actions physicians can prescribe to aid individuals
in the prevention and control of the disease. These include subsequent
testing of family members, early colon cancer surveillance, detection
and removal of polyps, and insome cases prophylactic surgery.
Intellectual
property related to these tests is licensed to Genzyme Corporation
from the laboratories of Dr. Bert Vogelstein and Dr. Ken Kinzler
at Johns Hopkins University. This intellectual property is currently
available for sub-licensing on a non-exclusive basis from Genzyme
Molecular Oncology (Nasdaq: GZMO), a division of Genzyme Corporation.
Colon
cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States
and is the third most frequent cause of cancer death. Yet it is
also the second most preventable cancer after lung cancer. Key
factors in the control and cure of colon cancer include early
detection and prevention through genetic testing, use of simple
and accurate screening tests, eating a healthy high-fiber, low-fat
diet, and daily exercise.
As
the largest provider of genetic testing services in the United
States, Genzyme Genetics provides high-quality genetic services
cost-effectively, leveraging its specialized laboratories, a nationwide
network of genetic counselors, and a strong sales and marketing
presence in the prenatal testing market. It is a business unit
of Genzyme General (Nasdaq: GENZ), a division of Genzyme Corporation.
This
press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
about the estimated incidence of Lynch Syndrome and of colon cancer
generally, Genzyme Genetics' plans to introduce additional predispositional
screening tests, and the expected benefits from using the Lynch
Syndrome screening tests. Actual results may materially differ
due to numerous factors, including without limitation the accuracy
of Genzyme Genetics' information about the incidence of Lynch
Syndrome and colon cancer, the timing and results of efforts to
develop additional tests, the accuracy of predispositional screening
tests, the timing and content of decisions by regulatory authorities,
market acceptance of Genzyme Genetics' tests, and the competitive
environment for predispositional screening tests.
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