New Test Improves Lung Cancer Diagnosis

(Roche, July 18, 2013)

Roche announced the global launch (except US) of a new test able to distinguish between the two main forms of lung cancer: non-small cell (NSCLC) which can be cured surgically in its early stages, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) which requires chemotherapy and radiation. Because it is commonly diagnosed late in patients, SCLC's prognosis is typically poor due to its aggressive nature. However, thanks to Roche's new Elecsys Progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) test, early-stage SCLC can now be identified, differentially diagnosed from NSCLC, and be treated accordingly. The first of its kind, the test is administered using serum or plasma, and relies on elevated levels of the ProGRP biomarker in the blood - a trait characteristic of SCLC patients. Although studies show it to be superior as a standalone test to the current standard neuron-specific enolase (NSE) test, ProGP, when used in combination with NSE, can enhance diagnostic accuracy considerably in lung cancer patients, of which there are approximately 1.35 million new cases each year.