Challenges in cancer research

Cancer related deaths have declined in the US over the past decade due largely to improvement and compliance in screening for many types of cancer. The elucidation of cancer as a genetic disease led to numerous studies aimed to evaluate the ability of mutations in oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and loss of heterozygoisity as biomarkers for detecting cancer in biological fluids.

Gentron’s Response

We look into early cancer detection through a different approach. Our overall rationale is based upon the concept that we can detect cancer signals during several years of asymptomatic cancer growth, hence allowing a very early cancer diagnosis. We believe, this will represent a change in the existing diagnostic paradigm: Instead of looking at tumor markers in cancer cells, we searched where we believe the presence of cancer should be sensed at a very early stage: at CNS level. These discoveries were performed on three different animal models of cancer.

The CNS regulates general homeostasis by integrating signals sent from the periphery
	With the identification of tumor activated genes in the brain, it will be possible to detect cancer signals within the 10 to 15 years of asymptomatic cancer growth. The identification of genes expressed in the CNS will allow tracking their protein product in body fluids. This will represent a significant advantage to cancer detection tests and procedures available today which only detect tumors once they are well established. In most cases, it is then too late for an effective treatment and eradication of malignant tumors.
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Our aim:

• To patent biotech  products which use functional genomics for their application on
  human health.
• To enhance and improve cancer detection through the development of a novel
  diagnostic genomic platform.

Gentron's Discoveries

Identification of genetic profiles that could determine the presence of peripheral tumors

We have obtained a list of genes expressed in defined brain regions of mice that provide a molecular signature of  the presence of a peripheral tumor cells as early as 18 hours post-tumor cell injection.

Identification of genetic profiles that could determine the presence of different types of tumors

Identification of genetic profiles that could determine the presence of different chronic diseases

We have obtained a list of genes expressed in defined brain regions of mice that might be useful in distinguishing the presence of a tumor as well as the development of an allergic reaction (asthma) or a pro-inflammatory disease.

All these discoveries are protected by a Patent filed at the US Patent and Trademark Office under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, Priority date: June, 2003 and December 2006.