Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that the results of a joint study with the NYU Langone Medical Center were published on May 12th, 2010 in the online issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry. The study "Pro-tumorigenic Effects of miR-31 Loss in Mesothelioma," demonstrates the potential of miR-31 to be used for the development of new therapies against mesothelioma and other cancers. The study may be viewed online here.

In the study, cell lines derived from mesothelioma patients were found not to express miR-31, a microRNA that has recently been characterized as a suppressor of breast cancer metastases. Functional assessment of miR-31 activity revealed its ability to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenicity of mesothelioma cells. Reintroduction of miR-31 suppressed cell cycle and inhibited expression of multiple factors involved in cooperative maintenance of DNA replication and cell cycle progression.

"Over the past several years, microRNAs have been hailed as one of the most significant scientific and medical discoveries. They have been described as the body's 'master switches', holding significant potential for therapeutic applications, and have been shown to be highly sensitive and specific biomarkers. This latest publication is another demonstration of microRNAs' potential role in cancer therapeutics, and details the significant impact a single microRNA can have on disease course," noted Kenneth A. Berlin, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics. "Through our commercially available diagnostic tests for cancer, as well as through a robust and diverse microRNA-based product pipeline, we aim to continue to lead in this field by harnessing the power of microRNAs to advance patient care worldwide."

About microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, small RNAs that act as master regulators of protein synthesis, and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers. MicroRNAs' unique advantage as biomarkers lies in their high tissue specificity, and their exceptional stability in the most routine preservation methods for biopsies, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) block. It has been suggested that their small size (19-21 nucleotides) enables them to remain intact in FFPE blocks, as opposed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which tends to degrade rapidly in samples preserved by this method. In addition, early preclinical data has shown that by controlling the levels of specific microRNAs, cancer cell growth may be reduced.

About miRview™ Products

miRview™ are a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products offered by Rosetta Genomics. miRview™ mets accurately identifies the primary tumor site in metastatic cancer and Cancer of Unknown Primary. miRview™ squamous accurately identifies the squamous subtype of NSCLC, which carries an increased risk of severe or fatal internal bleeding and poor response to treatment for certain therapies. miRview™ meso diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure. miRview™ tests are designed to provide objective diagnostic data; it is the treating physician's responsibility to diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the U.S. alone, over 100,000 patients a year may benefit from the miRview™ mets test, 60,000 from miRview™ squamous, and 60,000 from miRview™ meso, with similar numbers of patients outside the U.S. The company's tests are now being offered through distributors around the globe.

Source
Rosetta Genomics