Product category:
Optical microscopes
News Release from: Olympus Life Science Europa | Subject: 5-FU test
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 16 February 2007
First personalised chemotherapy
management assay
Olympus and Saladax Biomedical enter development agreement to accelerate a blood test expected to help oncologists more effectively dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a widely used chemotherapy agent
The 5-FU test will enable more timely and cost-effective dosing, thereby optimising therapeutic effects and minimising toxicity among the 1.5 million patients treated annually around the world Pursuant to this agreement, SBI will adapt the first of a line of personalised chemotherapy management (PCM) assays for quantifying the concentration of 5-FU (Rubex/Efudex/Adrucil) in cancer patients to the Olympus AU400 clinical chemistry system, while the parties finalise the terms of the non-exclusive multi-year distribution agreement
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 16 Jul 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Microscope protects electronic components
New Olympus BX41M-ESD microscope for materials microscopy allows safe examination of electrostatically sensitive samples
Flexible system for materials microscopy
New Olympus BX2 series microscope systems for materials and metallurgical studies provides unprecedented flexibility through modular design approach
5-FU is indicated primarily for colorectal, gastrointestinal, breast and head and neck cancers.
In addition to the typically associated toxic side-effects of 5-FU such as soreness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea, stomach pain, neutropenia and neuropathy, some patients face life threatening consequences from 5-FU treatment.
Three to five percent of the population have an enzyme deficiency (DPD deficiency) that is crucial for the metabolism and deactivation of 5-FU.
Such patients suffer from severe side effects, even death, with smallest doses and often with the very first dose of 5-FU.
"There is a large body of published clinical evidence that managing 5-FU dosing by measuring blood concentration has a significant positive impact on response to therapy and reduction of toxic side-effects.
"However, today doctors have no clinical relevant tool by which to get this information.
"Saladax plans to launch a simple 5-FU test within the year and we are pleased by the prospect of having it offered by a highly respected and quality partner such as Olympus," said Salvatore Salamone, chairman and chief executive officer of Saladax. Request a free brochure from Olympus Life Science Europa ...
• Olympus Life Science Europa: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page

