A lung assay, which is based on the expression levels of eight microRNAs, has been validated. The assay can differentiate between the four main types of lung cancer.

Rosetta Genomics (Philadelphia, PA, USA; Rehovot, Israel), a developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostic assays, announced that data from the study validating the company's miRview lung assay was published in the June 29, 2012, online edition of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

The miRview lung assay is based on the expression levels of eight microRNAs, measured using a sensitive quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) platform. In the study, the assay was validated on an independent set of 451 samples, more than half of which were preoperative cytologic samples (fine-needle aspirations and bronchial brushings and washings). More than 90% of the samples were successfully processed with an overall accuracy of 94%. Similar performance was observed in both pathologic and cytologic samples, demonstrating the assays' ability to differentiate between four major types of lung cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer, carcinoid, and small-cell carcinoma.

The authors wrote, "For patients with primary lung cancer, accurate determination of the tumor type significantly influences treatment decisions. However, techniques and methods for lung cancer typing lack standardization. In particular, owing to limited tumor sample amounts and the poor quality of some samples, the classification of primary lung cancers using small preoperative biopsy specimens presents a diagnostic challenge using current tools."

Kenneth A. Berlin, president and CEO of Rosetta Genomics said, "New lung cancer treatments that are tumor specific require accurate subclassification to optimize treatment strategies. Our miRview lung assay, with its proven ability to differentiate four major subtypes of lung cancer, can provide a simple and reliable tool for clinicians in developing their treatment protocols."

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