On April 1, 2021 Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC), a leading provider of molecular diagnostic assays, products and services, reported that it will host a webinar featuring leading neuro-oncologists to discuss the use of the Company’s proprietary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assay for diagnosing and managing tumors that have metastasized to the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain or spinal column (Press release, Biocept, APR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234577517]). Biocept’s CSF assay provides enhanced sensitivity compared with CSF cytology, the current standard of care, and has the added advantage of identifying actionable molecular targets for use in treatment decisions while providing quantitative information needed for assessing treatment response and monitoring disease progression.
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"Our goal is to establish our CSF assay as the new standard of care for the diagnosis of patients with suspected cancer metastasis to the CNS under National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines," said Michael Dugan, MD, Biocept’s Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director. "We have already gained substantial interest among neuro-oncologists and other cancer specialists from nearly two dozen leading academic institutions across the country. Most of these physicians have already ordered our CSF assay with many becoming repeat users.
"The CSF assay addresses a high unmet clinical need as current diagnostic tools for patients with brain metastases are inadequate or imprecise for assessing therapy response; however, many therapies are now available that offer substantial promise for improved survival and resolution of symptoms," Dr. Dugan added. "Between 10% and 30% of adult patients with cancer, depending on the type, will develop brain metastases. We estimate this market opportunity at more than $1 billion annually."
Amir Azadi, MD is a medical oncologist specializing in neuro-oncology and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute. His expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) and the Society of Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Azadi received his medical degree from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Banner – University Medical Center in Phoenix, and fellowships in hematology and oncology at the University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center and in neuro-oncology at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Nicholas Blondin, MD is Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology at Yale School of Medicine. His clinical expertise is in treating benign and malignant brain tumors, brain and spine metastasis, and neurological symptoms of cancer such as seizures, cognitive impairment, headaches, gait disturbance and weakness. Dr. Blondin is an active investigator for clinical trials for brain tumor patients through Yale Cancer Center. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and completed his neurology residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was Chief Resident in Neurology, followed by a fellowship in neuro-oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Priya U. Kumthekar, MD is a United Counsel for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS)-certified neuro-oncologist from Northwestern University and is serving as the principal investigator for Biocept’s Four C clinical study. She is dedicated to patient care and moving the study of brain tumors forward primarily through her leadership on clinical trials. Dr. Kumthekar serves in leadership roles with the National Clinical Trials Network, particularly with the Alliance for Clinical Trials, and was named as the Alliance’s national Executive Officer of Neuro-Oncology in 2016. In this role, she oversees the conception and development of clinical trials from early phase through registration studies. Dr. Kumthekar is board certified in neurology and is a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She received her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio University. She previously was Chief Resident at Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center.