Blood transcript analysis and metastatic recurrent small bowel carcinoid management
Irvin M Modlin1, Ignat Drozdov, Lisa Bodei
1Wren Laboratories, 35 NE Industrial Road, Branford, CT 06405, USA. imodlin@optonline.net.
BMC Cancer
|August 7, 2014
Summary
A new PCR-based blood test, the NET Index, shows greater sensitivity for detecting neuroendocrine tumor (NET) progression than Chromogranin A. This blood test may also track treatment effectiveness in NET patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Accurate detection of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) disease progression is critical for patient management.
- Current methods include imaging (MRI, CT, Octreoscan®) and plasma Chromogranin A (CgA) measurement.
- Limitations exist in the sensitivity of CgA for monitoring NET progression.
Observation:
- A NET-specific multigene PCR-derived blood transcript signature (NET Index) was utilized to assess disease.
- CgA and gene transcripts were correlated with various imaging modalities, including MRI, CT, Octreoscan®, 11C-5HTP-PET/CT, and (68)Ga-DOTA-PET/CT.
- The study involved a single patient with neuroendocrine tumor.
Findings:
- The NET Index demonstrated higher sensitivity in assessing NET disease status compared to CgA.
- Gene transcript alterations in blood were observed prior to confirmation by imaging.
- The study identified limitations in using CgA for evaluating NET disease status.
Implications:
- The NET Index shows potential as a more sensitive biomarker for NET progression.
- Blood gene transcript levels may serve as an early indicator of therapeutic efficacy in NET patients.
- This PCR-based approach could enhance the monitoring and management of neuroendocrine tumors.
