"Spot-Light" Sheds New Light on Breast Cancer - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

7/8/08

"Spot-Light" Sheds New Light on Breast Cancer

The FDA has approved a new test that may help determine which breast cancer patients will benefit from certain drugs. 

The test is called "Spot-Light" and it can determine how many "Her-2" genes there are in a tumor.  Her-2 genes manage the growth of cancer cells.  Doctors know that when a patient has too many of them cancer grows and divides more quickly.  The new test uses chemicals to make the Her-2 genes change color allowing doctors to see whether a patient needs special treatment for that.

Spot-Light is manufactured by Invitrogen Corp. of Carlsbad, California.

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