OICR Invests in New Imaging Probe to Detect Breast Cancer Earlier

TORONTO, Apr 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) today announced an
investment toward the development of a radiolabelled insulin probe for
the early detection of breast cancer.

The recipient of the investment award is John Valliant, PhD, associate
professor of McMaster University. Improper insulin regulation is common
in a number of diseases, including breast cancer. Dr. Valliant has
developed a form of insulin that is labelled with technetium, a
widely-used radioisotope. It can be injected into the bloodstream and
used to track changes in insulin metabolism, helping to find and monitor
tumors that currently are difficult to detect.

"Dr. Valliant's new method can provide a non-invasive alternative to
detect breast cancer, particularly in women with small tumors or dense
breast tissue," said Dr. Tom Hudson, president and scientific director of
OICR. "This allows us to find and monitor the tumors that currently are
the most difficult to see, and start treatment for patients earlier, when
the likelihood of survival is much greater."

OICR will participate actively in efforts to commercialize the project by
providing additional expertise and resources and by working
collaboratively with McMaster University and
Dr. Valliant.

OICR is a new centre of excellence, moving Ontario to the forefront of
discovery and innovation in cancer research. OICR is making Ontario more
effective in knowledge transfer and commercialization, to maximize health
and economic benefits of research findings for the people of Ontario. For
more information, please visit our website at
www.oicr.on.ca/commercialization

Backgrounder

John Valliant, PhD
Associate Professor
McMaster University

Development of Radiolabelled Insulin Probe

There is a clinical need for better medical imaging agents and techniques
to detect small breast tumors, particularly in women who have dense
breasts. Dr. John Valliant at McMaster University is developing a medical
imaging agent for monitoring changes in insulin in the body. Improper
insulin regulation occurs in a number of diseases, including breast
cancer. Dr. Valliant has developed a form of insulin that is labelled
with technetium, the most widely used radioisotope in diagnostic
medicine. Technetium-labelled insulin will be useful for non-invasive and
early detection of breast cancer, and also for monitoring the impact of
cancer therapy. The use of technetium will permit more widespread
adoption of the insulin-based agent by allowing imaging with SPECT
equipment, which is widely available in most hospitals. The funding from
OICR will be used to create a single step instant kit so the insulin
agent can be produced in a manner necessary to receive Health Canada
approval for clinical trials and ultimately widespread distribution. The
Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) at McMaster
University (www.imagingprobes.ca) will be involved in developing the
commercial opportunity for the new agent.

Contact:
Jennifer Devine
SmithSolve Communications Consulting
On behalf of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
973-442-1555 x102
jennifer.devine@smithsolve.com

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