VolitionRx (NYSE-A:VNRX) Limited shared positive new research, published in PLOS ONE, which demonstrated that plasma nucleosome concentrations can be a useful tool for treatment monitoring in dogs with hematopoietic cancers.
The Austin, Texas-based epigenetics company’s nucleosome quantification technology, the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test, was used for the study.
The study itself was led by Dr Heather Wilson-Robles, a leading veterinary oncologist and chief medical officer at Volition Veterinary, and took place at the Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department at Texas A&M University.
Cancers that begin in blood-forming tissue, such as bone marrow or in the cells of the immune system, are common in dogs and represent almost a third of malignancies diagnosed each year, noted the company.
"Veterinarians typically rely on physical exam findings, radiographs, ultrasound, and baseline blood work to monitor dogs with hematopoietic cancers for treatment response and remission status. However, to date, there has been a lack of useful circulating biomarkers available in veterinary medicine,” said Dr Wilson-Robles.
"We evaluated circulating plasma nucleosome concentrations at diagnosis, throughout treatment and during remission monitoring for 40 dogs with lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia, and multiple myeloma. C-reactive protein and thymidine kinase-1 levels were also recorded."
Dr Wilson Robles and the Volition team found that plasma nucleosome concentrations were significantly higher at diagnosis and progressive disease than they were when dogs were in remission.
The study also showed that nucleosome concentrations nearly always returned to the low range during treatment and are associated with clinical remission.
“Nucleosome elevations often recur at the time of disease progression, mirroring the clinical course of the disease and that higher nucleosome levels are inversely correlated with survival," noted Dr Wilson-Robles.
The findings also show that plasma nucleosome concentrations correlated better with disease response and progression than either thymidine kinase or C-reactive protein.
'Phenomenal start to the year'
Meanwhile, Volition reported that it had cash and equivalents of around $10 million as of March 31, 2023, as it announced financial results and a business update for the first quarter.
The company said it received approximately $8 million through an underwritten public offering of its common stock in February, adding that it expects to receive a further $13 million in milestone payments from Heska Corporation and additional funding from three Belgian agencies over the coming months.
"It has been a phenomenal start to the year, with the launch of our Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test through IDEXX's reference laboratory network. It is also available as the Heska Nu.Q Canine Cancer Screen and Monitor test through Heska's veterinary diagnostic laboratory and for pre-order at the point of care," Cameron Reynolds, president and group CEO of Volition, said in a statement.
"Without a doubt, establishing global supply agreements with two global industry leaders offers what we expect to be significant revenue opportunities for Volition, and we are delighted to report a 381% increase in sales to $124,000 of the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test for the first quarter compared to the previous year,” he added.
Volition said it will host a conference call on May 11 at 8:30 am ET to discuss its first-quarter results. Details can be found here.
The company said it will also hold a capital markets day at NYSE on May 11 at 2pm ET.
To attend virtually please register here.
Volition applies its Nucleosomics platform to develop simple, easy-to-use, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of diseases, including some cancers and diseases associated with NETosis such as sepsis and COVID-19.
Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com
-- Updates with new study, comments --