Biocept, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, announces the commercial availability of its new liquid biopsy test for progesterone receptor (PR), which can be used for the detection and monitoring of a key biomarker in the blood of patients with breast cancer.

"The ability to detect PR expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) complements Biocept's existing ER and HER2 assays for biomarker analysis in breast cancer," said Veena Singh, M.D., Biocept's senior vice president and medical director.  "With the addition of PR detection using our high sensitivity CTC platform, we offers liquid biopsy assays for all NCCN Guideline®-based biomarkers pertinent to the care of patients with breast cancer."

"We now have 14 commercially available liquid biopsy assays as we execute on our initiative to expand our product menu of non-invasive, cost-effective biomarker tests," said Biocept's president and chief executive officer Michael Nall.  "Our goal is to offer tests to detect and track all clinically actionable biomarkers listed in the NCCN Guidelines® for solid tumors, which we believe is a compelling value proposition for Biocept in the liquid biopsy market."

Biocept's Target Selector PR expression test is performed on CTCs utilizing fluorescently labeled antibodies. The company's liquid biopsy tests are performed in its CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory located in San Diego, California.

The progesterone receptor (PR) is a protein found inside cells. Upon binding of the steroid hormone progesterone, PR enters the nucleus and binds to DNA, leading to the production of specific proteins. Clinically, breast cancer cells can be tested for hormone sensitivity, also referred as hormone receptor status, where tumor cells that stain positive for PR and/or estrogen receptor (ER) suggest that the patient may respond to a targeted therapy.  About 80% of breast cancers are hormone receptor positive.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 27 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research and education, is dedicated to improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives.  NCCN offers a number of programs to give clinicians access to tools and knowledge that can help guide decision-making in the management of cancer. Over the past 25 years, NCCN has developed an integrated suite of tools to improve the quality of cancer care.  The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) document evidence-based, consensus-driven management to ensure that all patients receive preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that are most likely to lead to optimal outcomes.

Biocept, Inc. is a molecular diagnostics company with commercialized assays for lung, breast, gastric, colorectal and prostate cancers, and melanoma.  The company leverages its proprietary liquid biopsy technology to provide physicians with clinically actionable information for treating and monitoring patients diagnosed with cancer.