Schering-Plough Corporation and Oncomethylome Sciences (OMS), a privately held company, signed a collaboration and license agreement for Schering-Plough to utilise assay technology from Oncomethylome Sciences that measures the methylation status of the MGMT gene in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a form of malignant brain cancer, treated with Temodar (temozolomide).

Under the collaboration, the DNA methylation status of the MGMT gene is being evaluated for its potential role in optimising Temodar therapy in patients with GBM brain cancer.

"While the clinical benefit of Temodar is well established for the treatment of certain types of brain tumours, we hope these pharmacogenomic technologies will help to expand our understanding of how to optimise Temodar therapy and support efforts to achieve improved clinical outcomes for these patients," said Robert J. Spiegel, chief medical officer and senior vice president, medical affairs, Schering-Plough Research Institute.

Under the terms of the agreement, Schering-Plough receives a worldwide, non-exclusive license from Oncomethylome Sciences to use its pharmacogenomic assays and technology to evaluate methylation status of the MGMT gene in GBM patients treated with Temodar. The collaboration will initially focus on GBM brain cancer, with the possibility to expand the scope to other types of cancers and, potentially, other Schering-Plough products. Oncomethylome Sciences will receive an upfront license payment, milestone payments and sample processing fees from Schering-Plough, states a company release.

"The collaboration with Schering-Plough offers the potential to enhance the applicability of established cancer drugs," said Herman Spolders, chief executive officer of Oncomethylome Sciences. "In addition, the agreement demonstrates the value of our patented technology in personalized medicine applications."

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rapidly growing neuroglia cell tumour of the central nervous system, most often located in the cerebrum. It is the most common and deadliest type of primary brain tumour. The annual incidence of GBM is four to five cases per 100,000 persons, with 8,000 to 10,000 new cases diagnosed per year in North America.

The use of Oncomethylome Sciences' MGMT assay is based on the hypothesis that down- regulation of the MGMT gene may be a significant predictor of brain tumor response to treatment with alkylating agents like temozolomide.

Temozolomide is an oral, cytotoxic alkylating agent. Cytotoxic agents are designed to prevent the replication of cells that divide rapidly, including those in tumors. In the United States, Temodar (temozolomide) capsules are approved for use in combination with radiotherapy, and then as maintenance for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a form of malignant brain cancer.