Rosetta Genomics To Present Multiple Posters At The 44th Annual Meeting Of The American Society Of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Biology / Biochemistry;  Asbestos / Mesothelioma
Article Date: 17 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Rosetta Genomics Ltd. (Nasdaq:ROSG), a leader in the development of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics, announced that it will present multiple posters at the upcoming ASCO annual meeting in Chicago. The company also has three publication only abstracts available on ASCO's website. The event will take place from May 30 to June 3 at the McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois.

Presented posters:

1. "MicroRNA signature identifies tissue origin of primary and metastatic tumors"; Tuesday, June 03, 8:00AM - 12:00PM; Hall S102a, abstract # 11028.

Each year approximately 70,000 patients in the United States are diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Accurately identifying the origin of a metastasis can be critical in guiding treatment decisions. Rosetta Genomics' scientists have designed a classifier which assigns a primary site to a cancer sample based on the microRNA expression in the sample. The overall sensitivity of this classifier is approximately 85%, with two-thirds of the samples being classified with high-confidence, reaching accuracy exceeding 90% and specificity of 99%.

2. "Differential microRNA expression in pleural mesothelioma: Implications for early detection and prognostication"; Tuesday, June 03; 8:00AM - 12:00PM; Hall S102a; abstract # 11027. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos induced pleural neoplasm with a median survival (MS) of 12 months, and relatively little is known about the molecular events that lead to the development of this highly aggressive disease. Using Rosetta Genomics' unique microRNA platform, Dr. Harvey Pass, NYU School of Medicine, examines whether there are distinct mir profiles between MM and normal mesothelium, and whether mirs are associated with demographic/prognostic features in MM patients.

3. "MicroRNAs as powerful diagnostic tools for the differential diagnosis of lung tumors"; Sunday, June 01; 8:00AM - 12:00PM; Hall S A1; abstract # 11112. Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease with many histological subtypes, further complicated by the frequent occurrence of lung metastases from various tumor origins. Therefore, determining the correct diagnosis of any lung tumor often poses a difficult diagnostic challenge that may have very significant therapeutic implications. This poster will detail the use of microRNAs for differentiating between different primary lung tumors and metastases to the lung.

4. "MicroRNA expression profile identifies origin of tumors in the liver"; Tuesday, June 03; 8:00AM - 12:00PM; Hall S102a; abstract # 11026. The distinction of liver metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and determining its tissue origin is a frequent problem in oncology, especially since liver metastases, and particularly adenocarcinoma, may mimic the morphology and immunoexpression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Such distinction has significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. In the present study, Rosetta Genomics and collaborators use microRNAs as biomarkers for tissue identification to distinguish between HCC and metastatic tumors in the liver.

Publication only abstracts:

5. "MicroRNAs as specific biomarkers for distinguishing between primary and metastatic brain tumors" A recurring challenge for brain pathologists is to diagnose whether a brain malignancy is a primary tumor or a metastasis from some other origin. The accurate diagnosis of brain malignancies is essential for selection of proper treatment. In this study, Rosetta Genomics' scientists examine whether the specific expression of microRNAs may be utilized in the identification and diagnosis of brain malignancies.

6. "MicroRNAs as a diagnostic tool for differentiating squamous cell lung cancer from other non small cell lung cancers" Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women. Of all lung cancer cases, 80% are non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which includes adenocarcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma and large-cell carcinoma. Careful diagnosis of lung cancer patients before treatment with angiogenesis inhibitor drugs is critical. Bevacizumab, a therapy for non-squamous NSCLC, includes a warning about potential higher rates of severe or fatal hemorrhage in patients with squamous NSCLC histology.

7. "Differential diagnosis of mesothelioma using a microRNA assay" Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive pleural neoplasm primarily induced by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma in the lung pleural is difficult to differentiate from other tumors in the lung pleura, such as primary lung adenocarcinoma protruding into the pleural space and metastatic adenocarcinoma from other tissues. Rosetta Genomics' scientists investigated the microRNA expression profiles of lung mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma, and the potential of microRNAs as clinical biomarkers that distinguish between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma.

About MicroRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, small RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases are caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectively regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treat a wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have been shown to have different expression in various pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases.

About Rosetta Genomics

Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG) is a leader in the field of microRNA. Founded in 2000, the company's integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working on the application of these technologies in the development of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools, focusing primarily on cancer and various women's health indications. The company expects that the first microRNA diagnostic tests applying its technology will be launched by licensed clinical laboratories in the United States in 2008.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta's future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements relating to the role of microRNAs in human physiology and disease, the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the expected timing of submission for approval and launch of diagnostic tests using our microRNA technology constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks related to: Rosetta's approach to discover microRNA technology and to work on the application of this technology in the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic tools, which is unproven and may never lead to marketable products or services; Rosetta's ability to fund and the results of further pre-clinical and clinical trials; Rosetta's ability to obtain, maintain and protect the intellectual property utilized by Rosetta's products; Rosetta's ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties; Rosetta's ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities; Rosetta's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and distribution of products; Rosetta's ability to successfully develop its candidate tools, products and services, all of which are in early stages of development; Rosetta's ability to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals that may be required for its products and services; the ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for the products and services comprising Rosetta's technology; competition from others using technology similar to Rosetta's and others developing products for similar uses; Rosetta's dependence on collaborators; and Rosetta's short operating history; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

Rosetta Genomics Ltd
http://www.rosettagenomics.com