Sunnyvale, CA, Nov 16, 2016 – CellMax Life, the precision cancer testing company, announced today the immediate availability in India of the CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test, which examines 98 genes across 24 hereditary cancers using its proprietary SMSEQ™ Platform.  The CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test requires only a saliva sample.

CellMax Life’s DNA test uses next generation sequencing to detect gene mutations known to increase lifetime cancer risk. The test surveys for increased risk of 24 cancers including some of the most common cancers: breast, lip, lung, colorectal and stomach, along with prostate, bladder, thyroid, ovary and others.

As an example of the extensive breadth of the gene panel analyzed by CellMax Life, to assess breast cancer risk, the CellMax-DNA test covers BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes entirely, and also examines a number of other genes associated with breast cancer, including ATM, BARD1, CDH1, CHEK2, NBN, NF1, PALB2, PPM1D, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53.

Genetic Mutations Can Increase Cancer risk by 20 times

Genetic mutations associated with increased cancer risk are passed from parent to offspring. These inherited abnormal genes are in contrast to acquired mutations which occur after birth and over time, and include environmental factors and lifestyle choices such as smoking or sun exposure.

Individuals with certain inherited genetic mutations carry a higher lifetime risk for various cancers. Their risk of getting these cancers can be up to 20 times greater than individuals without these mutations. Cancers impacted by these inherited gene mutations are typically referred to as hereditary cancers.

“The public has already been fairly well-educated on the value of genetic testing for breast cancer,” said Dr. Ashish Nimgaonkar, MD, Asst. Professor of Medicine and Associate Medical Director, Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design at Johns Hopkins University, USA. “The ability of the CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test to identify mutations associated with 24 hereditary cancers in an affordable saliva test, is valuable to both patients and their doctors in planning for appropriate screening frequency and preventative measures.”

“Early cancer detection is the most effective way to fight cancer,” said Dr. Tai Cheng-Jeng, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. “CellMax Life’s convenient genetic cancer saliva DNA test based on the next generation sequencing SMSEQ platform offers the broadest gene panel for known hereditary cancers, allowing doctors and their patients to collaborate on personalized, optimal health planning.”

Cancer Risk Identification Enables Personalized Screening for More Effective Medicine

According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, more than 4 in 10 people in the United States will get cancer in their lifetime. Individuals who inherit mutated genes associated with cancer:

• Have a greater risk of getting cancer
• Tend to get their cancers earlier in life
• The cancer is usually more aggressive

Thus, individuals who know they have inherited an increased cancer risk can work with their doctors to plan for earlier and more frequent cancer screening.

It is well-accepted that the prognosis for cancer survival is higher when detected at early stages. The survival outlook is assessed by the 5-year survival rate stratified based on stage of detection. Some examples are shown below.

• Colorectal cancer: Stage one has more than 90% survival rate, while stage three and four detection survival is as low as 10%.

• Breast cancer: Stage one has almost a 100% survival rate. Stage four cancer has only 22%.

“Our goal is to make personalized, comprehensive cancer diagnostics affordable and accessible to every individual,” said Dr. Mana K Javey, MD, PhD, VP of Medical Affairs, CellMax Life. “By providing the industry’s broadest gene panel for hereditary cancer risk testing, we are enabling individuals and their physicians to do high-impact health planning.”

About the SMSEQ Platform and CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Test

The CellMax SMSEQ™ platform has an analytical specificity of ≥99.999%This patented technology, combined with years of research and development advancements enables CellMax to offer an extremely cost effective and comprehensive genetic cancer risk test, utilizing an expanded 98 gene panel using personal DNA from a saliva sample.

The CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test is available immediately via CellMax Life’s CLIA certified laboratory in Sunnyvale, CA. The test is priced at ₹30,000 INR, and can be ordered online or through CellMax Life’s provider network.  No dietary restrictions or medication alterations are necessary.

For more information, please visit CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test.

Case Study: 32-year-old Learns of Hereditary Cancer Risk

Mr. Chen, 32-year-old resident of Kaohsiung, has a family history of cancer, which concerned him for many years. Mr. Chen took the CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test, and learned that he carried a genetic mutation associated with an increased risk of cancer.

“My family has a history of cancer, but no one had ever been tested for genetic cancer risk — so I had been worried for many years. When I learned I could find out whether I personally had an increased risk for hereditary cancers through a saliva test, I decided to take it,” said Mr. Chen.

He continued: “I found out that I do carry a genetic mutation related to increased risk of colorectal cancer. Knowing this I will begin screening earlier, and do it more frequently that I would have otherwise.”

About CellMax Life

CellMax Life, Inc. is a precision cancer blood-testing company providing comprehensive, personalized multi-biomarker technology platforms for genetic cancer risk assessment, early detection and personalized treatment of cancer. CellMax Life’s products include CellMax-DNA Genetic Cancer Risk Test, and CellMax-CRC Colorectal Cancer Screening, a multi-biomarker blood test for early detection of colorectal cancer. For more information, please visit www.cellmaxlife.com, tw.cellmaxlife.com, or call +1 650-564-3905 (U.S.), or (+886) 0800-555-885 (Taiwan). Offices are at: 1271 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 and 18F-1 Park Street, Nangkang, Taipei City.

CellMax Life Announces CellMax CRC-Protect, a Multi-Biomarker Blood Test Clinically-Proven For Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Double-blind clinical studies conducted

Sunnyvale, CA and Taipei City, Taiwan, July 26, 2016 – CellMax Life, the precision cancer testing company, announced today that CellMax CRC-Protect, its blood-based test for early detection of colorectal cancer based on the CMx Platform®, is now available in Taiwan.

The CellMax CRC-Protect blood test has been clinically proven for colorectal cancer detection in two separate studies of over 500 Taiwanese patients at leading medical centers in Taiwan, including Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH).

For moderate to high risk patients, the clinical studies showed that over 90% of the time the CMx Platform correctly identified the patients who had colorectal cancer.

The breakthrough test requires only blood sample, which can be drawn as part of a regular healthcare provider visit; no dietary restrictions or medication alterations are necessary.

Colorectal Cancer on Rise in Taiwan

Colorectal cancer is the most common form of cancer in Taiwan, with the rate continuing to rise unabated every year. According to the ROC Ministry of Health and Welfare, in 2013 there were more than 15,140 new diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer — one person is diagnosed every 35 min with colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

“Only 30 percent of patients in Taiwan over age 50 are being regularly screened according to medical guidelines,” said Dr. Mana K Javey, MD, PhD, VP of Medical Affairs, CellMax Life. “A simple CRC blood test can be useful as an early warning system, to the vast majority of patients who are non-compliant to other screening tests such as colonoscopies and stool tests.”

Late Stage Colorectal Cancer detection has higher costs & higher mortality rate.

Although screening and early detection of colorectal cancer have been conclusively shown to save lives, about 50 percent of colorectal cancer cases are not detected until stage 3 or 4, where the survival rate can drop to as low as 10%, compared to a survival rate of more than 90 percent for early stage cancer. The costs of treating late stage cancer can be as high as USD 200,000 per patient, prohibitive for most patients.

“CellMax CRC-Protect’s ability to detect colorectal cancer in early stages, with a convenient blood test, can be a valuable early warning system for the vast majority of those who are reluctant to take a stool test or colonoscopy for screening.” said Dr. Ashish Nimgaonkar, MD, Asst. Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology) and Assoc. Medical Director, Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design, Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, USA.

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Circulating Tumor Cells as Biomarker for early Cancer Detection

A major new development in cancer research over the past decade has been the role of circulating tumor cells (CTC). Circulating tumor cells are cells shed from the primary tumor site into the bloodstream, where they then may travel to other sites in the body to form metastatic lesions, or to be destroyed.

“Circulating tumor cells can serve as a clear indicator of the presence of cancer in the body, often earlier than other indicators or detection methods,” said Dr. Rui Mei, PhD, CSO of CellMax Life. “The technological challenge is to detect these extremely rare cells in the blood and to keep them viable for further analysis.”

The tremendous difficulty of identifying these rare circulating tumor cells can be understood by looking at the order of magnitude of their presence at different cancer stages:

• Pre-cancer has 1 CTC per billion blood cells
• Early stage cancer has 10 CTC’s per billion blood cells.
• Late stage cancer has 100s of CTCs per billion blood cells

“The most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer mortality is to detect it early,” said Dr. Tsai Wen-Shi, MD, PhD, of CGMH. “This non-invasive blood test based on the CMx platform, with high clinically demonstrated accuracy and high accessibility, has the potential to detect cancer at earlier stages.”

The CMx Platform detects circulating tumor cells in the blood, even at early cancer stages

The fundamental principle behind the recent breakthrough in early CRC detection relies on the ability to find extremely rare, abnormal cells in a sea of billions of normal cells in a blood sample. The CMx Platform™ can detect rare abnormal, potentially cancerous cells in the blood, just like a very vigilant radar. With this new technology, early‐stage colorectal cancer, and even pre‐cancer, can be detected.

Case Study: Early Detection via CMx Platform Blood Test Saves Life

Lily Liao, a resident of Taipei, has been vigilant about her health for many years.

Lily stated, “Despite having a family history of cancer, including my oldest brother passing away because of colorectal cancer, I was afraid of the side effects of anesthesia and of the risk for my colon to be injured during a colonoscopy so I avoided it. I heard the CellMax Life CMx platform test could detect abnormal colon cells in the very early stages of cancer from a simple blood draw, and decided to take it.”

When her test came back abnormal, Lily Liao went for a colonoscopy, which found several polyps in her colon, including some pre-cancerous polyps, which the doctor removed.

“If I’d never taken the CellMax CMx platform blood test, I would probably still believe I would not get colorectal cancer in the absence of symptoms. Now I am finally relieved, and take the CellMax Life test regularly to monitor my condition,” Lily concluded.

To view Lily’s video case study, please see CRC blood test patient case study.

About CellMax Protect and the CMx Platform

CellMax Life’s patented CMx Platform is clinically proven to detect early-stage circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that are shed from the primary tumor site into the bloodstream in early stage cancer. The CMx Platform uses a biomimetic, lipid-bilayer coated microfluidic chip to capture these rare cells in peripheral blood.  The test can be useful in cases of non-compliance with recommended colonoscopies or messy stool tests, and as a supplemental screening.

For more information, please visit CellMax Protect early cancer screening blood test.

About CellMax Life

CellMax Life, Inc. is a precision cancer blood-testing company providing comprehensive, personalized multi-biomarker technology platforms for genetic cancer risk assessment, early detection and personalized treatment of cancer. CellMax Life’s flagship product is CellMax CRC-Protect, a multi-biomarker blood test for early detection of colorectal cancer, which is currently marketed in Taiwan. For more information, please visit www.cellmaxlife.com, tw.cellmaxlife.com, or call +1 650-564-3905 (U.S.), or (+886) 0800-555-885 (Taiwan). Offices are at: 1271 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 and 18F-1 Park Street, Nangkang, Taipei City.