Fast Track the Diagnosis: Improving Molecular Diagnostics for Canine Lymphoma - Early Success Achieved
As a reflection of the successful and efficient Ethos Discovery scientific strategy, less than 1 year ago Ethos Discovery embarked upon a research strategy to develop a needed improvement to an existing molecular assay used in the diagnosis of canine lymphoma.
This existing assay, referred to as the PCR for Antigen Receptor Rearrangement (PARR) is able to distinguish normal lymphocytes from malignant lymphocytes based on cancer-specific rearrangements in the genes of the adaptive immune response. This test is offered by multiple commercial and academic laboratories.
Through the optics of unmet needs in our clinics, we defined a strategy to deliver improvements in this assay. These include additional flexibility in the types of samples that could be used for the assay, refinements to allow smaller samples to be used, and improvements in the accuracy of the assay.
Through a collaborative effort with the Translational Genomic Research Institute (TGen), the Ethos Discovery team has developed an assay, “ePARR,” that has these differentiated attributes. Publication of data summarizing these advantages is planned for early 2018. We predict its use in pet animal patients through a commercial release in 2019.
In parallel we have begun work through the National Institute of Health granting mechanisms to utilize the ePARR platform to develop needed tests for human patients.