Innovative, Circulating Tumour Cell Test Now Available In Canada At PathQC Ltd

Montreal, QC (Marketwire) - PathQC Ltd. today announced that it is the first laboratory in Canada to offer the CellSearch® Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) test for clinical use. This simple blood test assists oncologists to predict patient prognosis and develop personalized patient care plans.

CTCs are cells that have detached from the primary tumour and circulate in the blood stream. CTCs may travel to other areas and create new tumours in different tissues or organs (metastasis).

The CellSearch® CTC test, distributed by Veridex LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, is the first Health Canada and FDA approved diagnostic test to automate the capture and detection of CTCs (of epithelial origin) in patients with metastatic breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. A combination of antibodies, microscopic iron particles and powerful magnets allow the CTCs to be drawn out of the blood sample which are then identified with fluorescent bio-molecules. As low as one CTC in 7.5 mL of whole blood can be detected using this advanced technology.

This test represents an important shift in the management of cancer patients as an adjunct to standard methods of monitoring disease status and provides a more complete picture of patient prognosis. The change in the count of CTCs is an early indicator of change in prognosis. The count should ideally be monitored on a regular basis such as before and after treatments as well as regular intervals there after.

PathQC is a state-of-the-art diagnostic pathology laboratory offering cytology, histology and molecular pathology services. VM Medical is the first medical center to be affiliated with PathQC and is now offering the CTC test to their patients. They are a leader in breast cancer detection and treatment and are the largest private breast center in Canada. PathQC and VM Medical have joined other leading cancer institutions in the United States, Europe and Asia to be at the forefront of cancer care.

CTC results should be used in conjunction with all clinical information derived from diagnostic tests (e.g., imaging, laboratory tests), physical examination and complete medical history in accordance with appropriate patient management procedures.

For additional information visit: www.CellSearchCTC.com, www.PathQC.com, www.VMmed.com.