Assay for determining the methylation status of the MGMT gene will be used in trials involving temozolomide in brain cancer.
OncoMethylome Sciences will provide further MGMT methylation testing to Schering-Plough, according to a new nonexclusive service agreement. The MGMT gene is a biomarker that has been shown to be methylated in a number of cancer types. OncoMethylome owns a patent-protected assay for determining the methylation status of the MGMT gene.

Under the terms of this agreement, OncoMethylome’s assay will be used for MGMT methylation testing in multiple national and international clinical trials involving temozolomide in brain cancer and other cancers. In addition, OncoMethylome will receive processing fees for providing Schering-Plough with testing services in connection with clinical trials focused on brain cancer as well as other cancers.

OncoMethylome currently provides its services for a multicenter clinical trial that is supported by Schering-Plough. The trial evaluates whether patients with glioblastoma multiforme can benefit from a more intensive temozolomide drug treatment regimen. MGMT methylation is being tested in this study for all patients’ tumors.

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