NEW BLOOD TEST SET TO REPLACE SKIN CHECKS
Announcement posted by Geneseq Biosciences 12 Dec 2017
The test is one step closer to being available for use in Australia after one of the world's most respected medical journals, The British Journal of Cancer, accepted it for publication in their January 2018 edition.
The test, named Melaseq, is based on new technology that can pinpoint the ‘molecular fingerprint’ of melanoma, even in the earliest stages of the disease.
The results are significantly more accurate than current methods of melanoma checks.
“The current methods for detecting melanoma have been proven to have limited scientific credibility,” said Geneseq Co-Founder Ryan van Laar Ph.D.
“Skin checks are subjective, and recent studies have shown that almost 1 in 6 melanomas are misdiagnosed[i]. This means that some patients aren’t receiving the early treatment they need, giving the cancer time to spread.”
“It also means some people are being treated for a cancer they don’t have. In fact, it is estimated that 25% of all Australia’s melanoma healthcare costs - $71 million per year - are for people who are later found not to have the disease,[ii]” said Dr Van Laar.
“Skin cancers, including melanoma, cost the Australian healthcare system more than any other cancer type.”
This is partially due to the fact that the disease is regularly diagnosed at a late stage. The treatment cost of late-stage melanoma is more than 100 times the cost of treating early stages, according to a Queensland study.
“The Melaseq test has the ability to detect first stage melanoma, saving millions of healthcare dollars, and more importantly saving lives,” said Dr Van Laar.
Unlike other common cancers, the death rate of melanoma in Australia has risen alarmingly, which experts suggest is partially due to inaccurate diagnoses and a lack of progress in the development of new tests.
Melanoma is up to four times more prevalent in Australia than the US and European countries.[iii]
“Tragically, melanoma is the leading cause of cancer death in young people aged between 20 to 39 years old, and in recent years, has killed more Australians than the road toll.[iv]” Dr Van Laar commented.
“We have received incredibly positive feedback from national and international melanoma experts on the potential for Melaseq to improve patient outcomes.”
“The consensus is that there is a huge need for a test like this that provides objective, accurate, and early diagnoses of melanoma.”
“With one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, we feel that Australia should also be at the forefront of research into new and innovative solutions.” Dr Van Laar added.
Geneseq Biosciences was one of 9 companies selected to be part of the Royal Melbourne Hospital Health Accelerator (MHx) Spring 2017 cohort. This one-of-a-kind incubator program is designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial spirit and drive, and the complex problems within health care.
About Geneseq Biosciences:
Geneseq Biosciences is a Melbourne based biotechnology company, pioneering the development of new “liquid biopsy” tests to help doctors individualise cancer diagnostics & treatment options. Founded in 2016, their first test Melaseq, is designed to accurately detect the genetic (microRNA) fingerprint of active melanoma in blood. For more information please contact Dr Ryan van Laar Ph.D. Founder, Geneseq Biosciences, +61 (3) 9028 2992
Web: www.geneseq.com.au | Twitter: @geneseqbio
For a free PDF copy of the British Journal of Cancer publication, email: info@geneseq.com.au with the subject line ‘BJC’.
