What is metabolite profiling?

Metabolite profiling is part of an emerging field of chemical and clinical analysis that identifies and measures changes in important small molecule metabolite species-also known as biomarkers-found in blood or urine. Matrix-Bio is working to turn metabolite profiling methods into specific diagnostic tests, so that through a simple blood test it is possible to detect disease in its very early stages with a high degree of accuracy. Metabolite profiling can be used to detect cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases. It also can be used to monitor the recurrence of disease or how a patient is responding to treatment. Metabolite profiling offers great promise to caregivers and their patients.

How is Matrix-Bio using metabolite profiling for breast cancer?

Next to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Early detection is very often the key to survival. Matrix-Bio's simple blood test may revolutionize how breast cancer is diagnosed and how physicians monitor patients for recurrence of cancer and track the effects of therapy. Using metabolite profiling, MatrixBio is able to identify and measure changes in biomarkers, and in so doing, accurately and reliably detect early stage breast cancer and detect its recurrence after therapy.

Why is Matrix-Bio's metabolite profiling such as powerful tool for breast cancer detection?

When breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, the patient has more treatment options and chances of survival are higher. Matrix-Bio's metabolite profiling-based blood test is extremely accurate as it identifies and quantifies small molecule biomarkers in the blood that indicate breast cancer even in its earliest stages. This is an exciting, potentially life-saving advancement as breast cancer tumors can grow for six to eight years before being detected by mammography.

Does Matrix-Bio's metabolite profiling technology platform have other disease applications?

Although MatrixBio is currently focused on breast cancer, its patent-pending metabolite profiling technology platform can be leveraged to detect other cancers as well. This is good news for patients, physicians, and payers who want better, more accurate tests for deadly cancers.