ANGLE plc (OTCQX: ANPCY), a leader in liquid biopsy technology, has made significant strides in cancer diagnostics with the introduction of its PD-L1 assay, showcased at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference in San Diego. This development is particularly relevant for lung cancer patients, as it enables continuous monitoring of PD-L1 status through a minimally invasive blood test.
The new assay, which utilizes ANGLE’s Parsortix® system, allows healthcare providers to assess the PD-L1 status of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in lung cancer patients. PD-L1 is a protein that plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells evade the immune system. The ability to monitor PD-L1 levels dynamically can provide insights into the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments, which are increasingly being used to target lung cancer.
Traditional methods of assessing PD-L1 status involve invasive tissue biopsies that can be costly and often yield outdated information as tumors evolve over time. ANGLE’s liquid biopsy approach mitigates these challenges by offering a non-invasive alternative that can be performed multiple times throughout a patient’s treatment journey.
During the AACR conference, ANGLE presented a poster that showcased the effectiveness of its immunofluorescence assay. The study highlighted that the assay successfully identified circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in 91% of metastatic lung cancer patients who were part of an ongoing longitudinal study. Among those patients with confirmed PD-L1 positive tissue biopsies, 72% also exhibited PD-L1 positive CTCs, while 27% of patients with negative tissue biopsies showed PD-L1 positivity in their CTCs. Additionally, a case study demonstrated variability in CTC PD-L1 status across different blood draws, highlighting the assay’s capability to capture the dynamic nature of tumor biology.
Karen Miller, Chief Scientific Officer at ANGLE, emphasized the importance of this research: “We are pleased to have presented this poster at the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research. The results of this study further demonstrate the utility of ANGLE’s PD-L1 assay. Longitudinal monitoring is essential to the advancement of personalized medicine.”
This sentiment reflects a broader trend within oncology towards more tailored treatment strategies that consider individual patient profiles rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
ANGLE’s Parsortix® PC1 system is at the forefront of this innovation. Designed to enrich CTCs from blood samples, it allows for comprehensive downstream analysis without the need for extensive sample preprocessing. This technology not only captures viable CTCs but also enables detailed studies on their genetic and phenotypic characteristics.
With over 100 peer-reviewed publications validating its performance, Parsortix stands as a robust tool for both clinical and research applications. As ANGLE continues to expand its capabilities, it aims to support pharmaceutical companies in developing more effective cancer therapies through its advanced liquid biopsy solutions.
ANGLE plc’s presentation at the AACR conference marks a significant step forward in cancer diagnostics and treatment personalization. By leveraging innovative technologies like the Parsortix® system, ANGLE is looking to transform how clinicians monitor and treat lung cancer, ultimately improving outcomes for patients facing this challenging disease.
