Biocept study of Target Selector cerebrospinal assays presented at neuro-oncology virtual conference

Biocept Inc (NASDAQ:BIOC) (FRA:B003), a provider of molecular diagnostic assays, announced Friday that its Target Selector CSF assays are a viable and sensitive platform for circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection, according to a study analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples in patients with primary lung or breast cancer with either brain or leptomeningeal disease.  The findings indicate that Target Selector assays compared favorably to the current standard of care, CSF cytology, which is used to confirm leptomeningeal disease when imaging findings are not sufficient. CSF cytology has limited sensitivity and provides no additional information needed for target therapy choice, the company said.  The results were presented Thursday by Santosh Kesari, director of neuro-oncology at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute and John Wayne Cancer Institute, at the Society for Neuro-Oncology's virtual conference. READ: Biocept Target Selector study monitoring tumor progression to be presented at breast cancer conference "Once a tumor has metastasized to the brain, CTCs and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid," Kesari said in a statement. "This prospective study compared the sensitivity of CTC detection and molecular analysis of Biocept's Target Selector CSF assays to cytology (microscopic examination of conventional CSF cytology slide preps). This study highlights the potential of CSF-based diagnostics for longitudinal monitoring cancers in the central nervous system." Biocept’s technology is designed to provide physicians with clinically actionable information for treating and monitoring patients diagnosed with cancer.  "Our Target Selector testing is a minimally invasive, cost-effective strategy to simultaneously confirm metastasis to the brain, while also assessing cancer biomarkers in order to qualify a patient for potential targeted therapy options," CEO Michael Nall said. "Identifying CTCs and actionable biomarkers with Target Selector can help to confirm and monitor central nervous system involvement when clinically suspected, without the risk of complications associated with surgical biopsies, which are often impossible in these cases. Thursday’s event was not the first time Biocept has presented Target Selector data to scientists. "This is the second major scientific conference in less than two months to accept study results from Target Selector testing in cerebrospinal fluid for presentation," Nall said. "We view neuro-oncology as an area where our technology is uniquely suited to answer questions posed by treating physicians, and we are appreciative of the Society of Neuro-oncology's recognition of our Target Selector testing." Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel