Original Research Article: Validation of a DKK1 RNAscope chromogenic in situ hybridization assay for gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma tumors

In partnership with Leap Therapeutics (Nasdaq: LPTX), a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted and immuno-oncology therapeutics, Flagship Biosciences published this downloadable original research article. It was first published on Monday, May 10 in Scientific Reports. It can also be viewed within the online publication at https://rdcu.be/ckjl5.
Abstract:
Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a secreted modulator of Wnt signaling that is frequently overexpressed in tumors and associated with poor clinical outcomes. DKN-01 is a humanized monoclonal therapeutic antibody that binds DKK1 with high affinity and has demonstrated clinical activity in gastric/ gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) patients with elevated tumoral expression of DKK1. Here we report on the validation of a DKK1 RNAscope chromogenic in situ hybridization assay to assess DKK1 expression in G/GEJ tumor tissue. To reduce pathologist time, potential pathologist variability from manual scoring and support pathologist decision making, a digital image analysis algorithm that identifies tumor cells and quantifies the DKK1 signal was developed. Following CLIA guidelines the DKK1 RNAscope chromogenic in situ hybridization assay and digital image analysis algorithm were successfully validated for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision. The DKK1 RNAscope assay in conjunction with the digital image analysis solution is acceptable for prospective screening of G/ GEJ adenocarcinoma patients. The work described here will further advance the companion diagnostic development of our DKK1 RNAscope assay and could generally be used as a guide for the validation of RNAscope assays with digital image quantification. Read and download the entire article to learn more.

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