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Media release
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The landmark study, published in the international scientific journal Proteomes, is a significant step toward offering sufferers of chronic acid reflux a non-invasive test that can detect esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), the predominant form of esophageal cancer.
FAST FACTS
- Esophageal cancer ranks seventh in cancer-related mortality causing 445,000 deaths annually worldwide
- Commonly caused by chronic acid reflux (GERD)
- Five year survival rate less than 20% with median survival less than 1 year
- Up to 20% of Western populations have GERD and are at risk of esophageal cancer
- Currently the disease is only diagnosed by invasive endoscopy
Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX: PIQ) today announced a major milestone in the early detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), with the peer-reviewed journal Proteomes publishing clinical validation results for its pioneering PromarkerEso blood test.
This first-in-class diagnostic tool uses a novel glycoprotein biomarker panel to detect EAC with 95% accuracy—making it a powerful alternative to current invasive screening methods like endoscopy.
EAC, often caused by chronic acid reflux (GERD), is one of the deadliest cancers, with 90% of cases currently going undetected until advanced stages. GERD affects up to 20% of the Western population and contributes significantly to EAC risk. Despite millions of endoscopies performed annually, the majority of EAC cases are still diagnosed too late.
PromarkerEso aims to transform this reality. Requiring only a standard blood sample, the test delivers a simple "traffic light" risk score—low, moderate, or high—enabling earlier intervention and improved outcomes for at-risk individuals. Clinical validation was conducted across 259 samples from three independent cohorts in Australia and the USA.
“This is a major step forward in our mission to reduce the burden of esophageal cancer,” said Dr Richard Lipscombe, Managing Director of Proteomics International. “PromarkerEso offers a practical, accurate, and scalable solution to improve early detection and reduce reliance on invasive procedures.”
PromarkerEso is expected to launch in Australia shortly, with international expansion to follow. Commercialisation will target both direct-to-consumer pathways and clinical channels including GPs and at-risk patient populations. The test is undergoing certification under ISO 15189 for clinical use.
Professor Hugh Barr, a global authority on esophageal cancer, welcomed the advancement: “Early, accurate detection is critical. Tools like PromarkerEso offer real hope for improving survival rates.”
Results:
Patient results are classified into Low-, Moderate- and High-Risk for disease: (A) development cohort (PROBE-NET), (B) validation cohort 1 (Ochsner), (C) validation cohort 2 (VCB). Actual outcomes are represented as blue dots (EAC) and black dots (Negative Controls).
Proteomics International’s pipeline includes multiple precision diagnostics, positioning PromarkerEso as a key asset in addressing global public health challenges.
LINK to publication: Proteomes: doi.org/10.3390/proteomes13020023
About Proteomics International Laboratories (PILL) (www.proteomicsinternational.com)
Proteomics International (Perth, Western Australia) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL (ASX: PIQ), a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bio-analytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics – the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease.
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