Is Earlier Detection of Cancers Such as Glioma Possible?

Oncolab, Inc.'s AMAS® Test is a commercially available blood test that may allow early detection of a wide range of human cancers. It detects a circulating, cancer-specific antibody, the Anti-malignin antibody, in human serum. Oncolab has been granted additional patent claims covering advances in its antibody and antigen detection techniques, as well as potential vaccine applications of the technology.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 21, 2008 -- Oncolab, Inc.'s AMAS® Test is a commercially available blood test that may allow early detection of a wide range of human cancers. It detects a circulating, cancer-specific antibody, the Anti-malignin antibody, in human serum. Anti-malignin is a normal antibody in humans which has been found to increase with age, as the risk of cancer increases. During the early stages of cancer, Anti-malignin antibody increases markedly in concentration.

Determining the concentration of this antibody is the basis for the AMAS Test for early detection of cancer. This test was first used to aid in the diagnosis of brain cancer, and was then found to be applicable to other common cancers because the glioma peptide contains a structural characteristic which is shared by other malignant cells.

After early detection of cancers with the aid of the AMAS Test, additional diagnostic techniques can be employed to establish a diagnosis, and surgery or other standard therapeutic techniques can be employed to treat the malignancy. Oncolab, Inc., the company which has developed the AMAS Test, was recently granted additional patent claims covering advances in its antibody and antigen detection techniques, as well as potential vaccine applications of the technology.

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