The study will examine women’s blood for a number of cancer related biomarkers, which are specific proteins having concentrations that are measurably different in patients with breast cancer. According to the company, the BT test is the first blood diagnostic that detects the presence of breast cancer at the molecular level.
The study, expected to take four to six months to complete, will involve more than 930 women, approximately 505 referred for biopsy, 125 referred for other types of cancer and 300 healthy subjects.
The study will also examine using the BT test together with a new protein biomarker test from RCP Diagnostics, a sister company to Biomarker Technologies. The marker, called riboflavin carrier protein, or RCP, may enhance the sensitivity of the BT test. The company hopes that the BT test, perhaps in conjunction with the RCP marker, will significantly improve on the 74% to 80% accuracy of mammograms.