BioSource to Research Breast-Cancer Detection

BioSource International of Camarillo is initiating a study to investigate the feasibility of developing a test capable of detecting breast cancer in a patient’s bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell products.

If successful, the study could lead to the development of a test kit allowing for prognosis and possible diagnosis of breast cancer and other carcinomas.

The feasibility study, which was approved by BioSource’s board of directors and described to shareholders at the company’s annual meeting July 1, is being undertaken in the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at West Virginia University in Morgantown.

The research team is collaborating with BioSource and will use DNA segments provided by the company. Subsequent test development will be performed by BioSource.

According to the researchers, bone marrow is a primary site of breast cancer movement, and the presence of tumor cells in the marrow of newly diagnosed patients is indicative of high-risk disease. However, such cancer cells are often difficult to detect in bone marrow, as the initial level is often below the limits of detection when standard techniques are used.

The BioSource-funded study is designed to establish a lower level at which tumor cells can be detected. If the feasibility study proves successful, researchers will design a clinical trial.

James H. Chamberlain, BioSource chairman and CEO, said the initial feasibility study will last up to six months.