> How does it work ?
A tumor is able to send signals which will modulate the bone marrow cells differentiation mobilized in response to the tumor growth by generating pro-metastatic or pro-angiogenic cells for example.
Bone marrow myeloid cells are recruited to the tumor site to create an inflammatory microenvironment that promotes tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor escape to immune surveillance. These cells will migrate through the blood vessels to reach the tumor site. Circulating blood cells have gene expression profiles that can be used as indicators of the presence of a tumor. Thus, Colox® measures the immune response of host cells to signals indicating the presence of a tumor.
Instead of waiting for the tumor to release identifiable markers into the blood, Colox® relies on the very early response of the host to the tumor:
- Myeloid cells from the bone marrow are recruited by the tumor
- They will migrate to the tumor site through the blood vessels – It is during this step that PBMCs can be isolated and see if they have gene expression patterns characteristic of an immune answer to the tumor
- The cells arrive at the tumor lesion site and differentiate. An inflammatory microenvironment is created
Hypothetical scheme
> How is the test performed ?
Colox® is a molecular test which combines 29 RNA markers with 2 protein markers. A blood sample is taken from the patient and the PBMCs are separated. The RNA is extracted from the cells and then retro-transcribed into cDNA by RT PCR. The cDNA is then used for a quantitative PCR that will measure the expression level of these genes. The signal is analyzed using an algorithm. The Novigenix algorithm will generate a report that is then sent back to the lab. An abnormal level of expression of genes (overexpressed or over-expressed genes) gives a positive result.
