Research conducted at QIMR Berghofer has been commercialised into a product, to be launched in Brisbane this week, that better detects one of the most dangerous cancers.
The World Congress for Esophageal Diseases, being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre until Saturday, will see a new blood test revealed for Esophageal cancer (EAC).
Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said the PromarkerEso was a world-first protein biomarker-based blood diagnostic that could rule out EAC, “one of the deadliest forms of cancer”.
Dr Lipscombe said the test was designed to make life easier and to reduce anxiety for those people living with chronic reflux, or Gastric, which impacts around 560,000 Australians.
“The national launch of PromarkerEso offers hope to thousands of Australians living with chronic reflux and are at risk of esophageal cancer.
“This blood test reduces reliance on costly multidisciplinary and invasive procedures, offers better accuracy, and improves patient experience.”
He said the new test addressed a critical gap by enabling earlier detection in a primary care setting, improving access to prompt diagnosis and treatment, and identifying risks that may be presently missed.
“The launch marks a major milestone in precision medicine.”
Dr Lipscombe said the original research into the protein biomarkers for the test was conducted by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, based in the Brisbane inner-city suburb of Herston.
“The PromarkerEso test was then designed and developed by Proteomics International.
“Release of this test positions Australia at the forefront of global cancer diagnostics innovation and commercialisation.”
