Source: www.forbes.com
Author: staff

GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Abbott Laboratories said Monday they will work together to develop a test that focuses on an antigen found in many types of cancer.

Abbott said it will create a molecular diagnostic test to screen for non-small cell lung cancer tumors expressing the an antigen called MAGE-A3. An antigen is a substance that creates a response from the immune system. MAGE-A3 is found in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer and bladder cancer, but does not occur in healthy cells.

BuzzGlaxoSmithKline is testing drugs that target the protein and stimulates the immune system to respond to it and begin fighting the cancer, which would slow tumor growth or prevent tumors from returning after surgery. One such drug is currently in late stage clinical trials.

The molecular diagnostic test will be designed for Abbott’s m2000 automated instrument system.