Quest Diagnostics to Present Genomic Studies Related to New Testing Techniques for Leukemia and Prostate Cancer at 2009 ASCO Meeting

PRNewswire

MADISON, N.J.

(NYSE:DGX)

MADISON, N.J., May 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics scientists will present results of three studies revealing the effect of genomic abnormalities on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and prostate cancer during the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), scheduled for May 29 through June 2 in Orlando, FL. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.

"As a leader in diagnostics for hematologic cancers, we believe our studies will help investigators better understand the mechanism of therapy resistance so they may develop more effective, personalized treatments for subsets of patients with CML. We are also hopeful that our studies on CML may provide the basis for one day developing commercial laboratory tests that will help physicians predict which patients may not respond to conventional CML therapy, so they may begin alternative treatment options sooner," said Maher Albitar, M.D., medical director and chief of Research and Development, Hematology and Oncology, Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, the esoteric research, development and testing operation of Quest Diagnostics.

"In addition, we are excited by results of a study related to prostate cancer conducted by our oncology diagnostics team at Nichols Institute. While more research is needed, these data may help us to eventually develop a noninvasive test for differentiating patients with prostate cancer from those who have benign prostate hyperplasia, a common condition whose symptoms can mimic cancer," Dr. Albitar said.

The study result abstracts to be shown during the ASCO meeting developed by Quest Diagnostics scientists include:

-- Resistance to imatinib therapy (Gleevec®) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): Scientists from Quest Diagnostics, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Consortium for Bioinformatics demonstrated that 73 percent of patients with CML who are resistant to treatment with imatinib exhibited the presence of alternatively spliced BCR-ABL1 mRNA with a 35-bp insertion (BCR-ABL135INS). The scientists also determined that imatinib, when combined with nilotinib or homoharringtonine (HHT), showed strong synergy, overcoming BCR-ABL135INS-induced resistance in vitro. The findings emphasize the importance of the overlooked alternatively spliced BCR-ABL135INS protein and may provide a strategy to treat resistant disease and eradicate residual CML. Abstract title: "Alternatively spliced truncated BCR-ABL1 protein in CML patients with resistance to kinase inhibitors." (Abstract No: 7026) Link to ASCO abstract: http://www.abstract.asco.org/AbstView_65_33284.html.

In addition, scientists from Quest Diagnostics and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center identified three novel (previously undescribed) mutations along the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase that may constitute a new class of mutations that "confer significant drug resistance" to imatinib therapy by expressing a truncated BCR-ABL1. Abstract title: "BCR-ABL1 truncation due to premature translation termination as a mechanism of resistance to kinase inhibitors." (Abstract No: 7028) Link to ASCO abstract: http://www.abstract.asco.org/AbstView_65_33182.html.

-- Testing for gene rearrangement and partner genes to enhance detection of prostate cancer: TMPRSS2 gene rearrangements have been reported in 40%-85% of prostate cancer (PCa) patients and have not been found in normal individuals or those with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). However, multiple partner genes, including ETS transcription genes, and breakpoints have been reported. Scientists at Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute developed a laboratory test based on TMPRSS2 5' and 3' intragenic differential expression (IDE) to identify patients with prostate cancer vs. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although work is needed to improve plasma RNA quality, the scientists concluded that IDE of plasma TMPRSS2 may be a useful non-invasive diagnostic or prognostic tool. Abstract title: "Intragenic expression profile in tissue and plasma for the detection of TMPRSS2 rearrangements associated with prostate cancer." (Abstract No: 5162) Link to ASCO abstract: http://www.abstract.asco.org/AbstView_65_34640.html.

Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading cancer diagnostics company. The company's Leumeta™ family of plasma-based molecular tests were the first available to doctors for directly identifying markers of hematologic cancers in blood plasma rather than painfully extracted bone marrow biopsies when introduced in 2006. Since that time, the Leumeta test family has grown to include more than 20 tests. The company continues to focus on developing its Leumeta test line in order to develop new testing techniques for solid tumors, such as prostate cancer, as well as for hematologic cancers. In addition, in February 2009, the company formed licensing agreements to rights to use biomarkers owned by Epigenomics and Health Discovery Corporation with the goal of developing new laboratory tests for detecting prostate cancer in blood and urine.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.questdiagnostics.com.

The statements in this press release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they are made and which reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the company include, but are not limited to, adverse results from pending or future government investigations, lawsuits or private actions, the competitive environment, changes in government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers, suppliers and strategic partners and other factors discussed in "Business" in Part I, Item 1, "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Factors that May Affect Future Results" in Part I, Item 1A, "Legal Proceedings" in Part I, Item 3, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in Part II, Item 7A in the company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the company's 2009 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other items throughout the Form 10-K and the company's 2009 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

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SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/