IRVING, Texas, Nov. 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Caris Life Sciences, Inc.™, a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostics, prognostic and theranostic services, announced today that Erika Fong, MD, an Oncologic Pathologist at Caris Life Sciences, presented "Malignant Peritoneal and Pleural Fluid Samples are Adequate for Molecular Profiling," at the 59th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC).
The study examined malignant fluid samples or cell blocks from Caris Life Sciences' biorepository, concluding that molecular profiling of malignant effusions offers additional opportunities for testing when more traditional tissue samples, such as needle core biopsy or tumor resection, are not available. The results also provide insight into the molecular characteristics of malignant cells. Cross referenced with drug response and biomarker associations documented in clinical literature, this data can be helpful in informing targeted therapy selection for cancer patients.
"With the increased focus on targeted therapy, evaluation of different sample types for molecular analysis becomes more important. At times, malignant fluid may be the only tissue sample available for some cancer patients," said Dr. Fong. "Our study confirms that advanced molecular profiling on these fluids with Caris Target Now can provide physicians and their cancer patients with personalized and documented drug response and biomarker associations to inform therapy selection. I am honored that the American Society of Cytopathology has asked us to present these findings."
Caris Target Now is an evidence-based molecular profiling service that matches molecular data generated from the individual patient's tumor with biomarker/drug associations from nearly 100,000 published clinical studies that are reviewed and graded by Caris' evidence team of MDs and PhDs. This service provides a simple-to-read report indicating which available chemotherapeutic, biologic and hormone therapies are more likely to be effective, as well as those that are likely to be ineffective, based on published associations in the current scientific literature.
About Caris Life Sciences
Caris Life Sciences, a leading biosciences company, specializes in the development and commercialization of the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostic technologies in the fields of oncology, dermatopathology, hematopathology, gastrointestinal pathology and urologic pathology. The company provides academic-caliber consultations for thousands of patients a day, through its industry-leading team of expert, subspecialty pathologists. Caris also offers advanced molecular analyses of patient samples through prognostic testing services and genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling to assist physicians in their treatment of cancer. Currently, Caris is developing a series of blood tests utilizing the patented Carisome™ platform — a proprietary, blood-based testing technology for diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis of cancer and other complex diseases. The company is headquartered in the Dallas metroplex, and operates laboratories at the headquarters, as well as in the Phoenix and Boston metro areas.