HACKENSACK, N.J.—Since the "war on cancer" was declared inthe United States some 40 years ago, early detection tests, improvedtreatments, anti-cigarette campaigns and smoke-free environments have proveneffective in reducing the number of many cancers. But statistics, according tothe American Cancer Society, show the number of new cases and death rates havenot decreased for ovarian cancer—the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers.
However, the fight against ovarian cancer has begun with thejoint collaboration of the John Theurer Cancer Center of Hackensack, N.J., andleading global genomics service provider Genewiz. The cancer center andgenomics firm on June 26 announced a new partnership aimed at combining effortstoward the advancement of ovarian cancer biomarker discovery research.
The research collaboration will enable analysis of ovariancancer samples for the identification of biomarkers predicting prognosis andchemotherapy outcomes for ovarian cancer. The joint agreement calls for Genewizto process and analyze clinical samples supplied by the Theurer Cancer Centerin CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratories located at Genewiz's globalheadquarters in South Plainfield, N.J.
"Genewiz's cutting-edge genomic analysis technologies andinformatics capabilities, including our recently launched OncoGxOne Discoveryovarian cancer panel, enable us to comprehensively assay ovarian cancer-relatedgenes for the detection of all types of genomic aberrations, including gene fusionsand copy number variance, in addition to point mutations," stated Dr. ShihongLi, a Genewiz principal investigator.
"Working with Genewiz offers the confidence of provencompetencies in comprehensive genomic analysis for cancer research, as well asthe benefit of having a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory for workingwith our clinical samples," added Dr. K. Stephen Suh, principal investigator atthe Theurer Cancer Center. "We are excited to work together for the improvementof cancer care and women's health overall."
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2013, anestimated 22,240 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed, and 14,030women will die of the disease in the United States.
Genewiz is a global contract research organizationspecializing in genomic services, including DNA sequencing, gene synthesis,molecular biology, genomic, bioinformatics and GxP/CLIA regulatory-compliantservices. Genewiz is a privately held global enterprise with locations inBoston; Washington, D.C.; Research Triangle Park, N.C.; San Diego; SanFrancisco; and Seattle. International locations include Beijing; Suzhou, China;London and Osaka, Japan. Genewiz claims it leads the industry in outsourcingpartnerships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical, academic andgovernment institutions.
The Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University MedicalCenter is among the nation's top 50 U.S.News and World Report's Best Hospitals for cancer—the highest-rankedfacility in New Jersey with this designation. It is New Jersey's largest andmost comprehensive cancer center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment,management, research, screenings and preventive care, as well as survivorshipof patients with all types of cancer.
