Exiqon together with NYU Cancer Institute announces presentation of results at the 2011 ASCO Annual meeting

Exiqon together with the Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program (IMCG) at the NYU Cancer Institute announces presentation of results at the 2011 ASCO Annual meeting showing the use of microRNAs as biomarkers in melonama.

Exiqon A/S (Copenhagen: EXQ) today announced the presentation of results from its diagnostic program together with the Interdisciplinary Melanoma Program (IMCG) at the NYU Cancer Institute on the potential of using circulating microRNAs in serum for prognostic purposes in melanoma has been selected for presentation at the 2011 ASCO meeting to be held June 3-6 in Chicago.

In the absence of curative therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma, the early identification of patients at high risk for the development of aggressive disease is critical. The stability of miRNAs in routinely collected clinical blood derived serum samples makes miRNAs excellent targets in the search for non-invasive cancer biomarkers. The results to be presented support the potential of serum miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in melanoma.

The title of the presentation is: "An analysis of sera-based microRNAs as biomarkers of recurrence in melanoma". Abstract No: 8513, Citation: J Clin Oncol 29: 2011 (suppl; abstr 8513) will be presented on Monday, June 6 at 11:30am.

"The data presented using qPCR screening highlights again the potential of miRNAs as robust biomarkers in blood serum. We are very excited to be working with one of the most recognized world leading melanoma programs at NYU and we look forward to pushing this program forward during 2011", said Adam Baker, VP of Diagnostics at Exiqon.

For more information, visit the 2011 ASCO Annual Meeting home page at: http://chicago2011.asco.org/