The BRAINprofiler

In the Western world, about fifty thousand patients are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. Their prognosis is extremely poor, illustrated by a median survival figure of less than one year. However, this does not apply to a distinct class of brain tumor patients suffering from oligodendrogliomas (OGD). Among all OGD patients, 70% respond well to chemotherapy and survive longer. Using the current diagnostic routines, however, this OGD subtype is difficult to recognize. In fact, studies indicate that the diagnosis of OGD itself may be incorrect in as much as 50% of all cases. This causes inadequate treatment and compromised survival among all patients, due to unnecessary chemotherapy in some patients and unapplied, yet needed chemotherapy in others. Evidently, an unmet need for correct diagnosis of the OGD subtype among brain tumors exists.

For this purpose, Skyline collaborates with the Department of Neurology and Bioinformatics of the Erasmus Medical Center in developing the BRAINprofiler. This Profiler will enable:

•    Accurate diagnostic classification of brain tumors, including the OGD subtype.

•    Prediction of chemotherapy responsiveness.

•    Prognosis of individual brain tumor patients