Science

When abnormal cells first begin to form a tumour, they produce proteins different from normal cells. The proteins are displayed on the surface of these cells, where they are detected by the immune system and a response is mounted against them. One response is the measurable increase in production of antibodies that bind to the aberrant proteins. This increase in antibodies can be detected using modified immunoassay technology, and has been correlated with incidence of cancer.

Cancer is, however, a heterogeneous disease. Therefore, a number of different proteins can be produced in an abberant fashion in the earliest cellular changes. In order to detect a high percentage of early cancers in a given tissue, OncImmune® has developed a panel of assays using different cancer antigens.