TETERBORO, N.J., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services, announced today that it has signed an agreement with
Veridex, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) company, to be the only national
commercial reference laboratory to offer a test using Veridex's CellSearch(TM)
Circulating Tumor Cell Kit, a new cancer diagnostic technology that identifies
and counts circulating tumor cells in blood samples from patients being
treated for metastatic breast cancer. The test will be available later this
month to physicians nationwide through Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute,
the company's esoteric testing laboratory, in San Juan Capistrano, California.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"This important new test has the potential to help oncologists better care
for patients with metastatic breast cancer," said Surya N. Mohapatra, Ph.D.,
President and Chief Executive Officer at Quest Diagnostics. "We are excited to
offer this test, which strengthens our position in oncology testing as a
trusted resource for doctors and their patients."
Results of a prospective, multi-center study published August 19, 2004, in
the New England Journal of Medicine(1) demonstrated that the number of
circulating tumor cells is predictive of progression free survival and overall
survival in metastatic breast cancer patients.
Veridex received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in
January, 2004, for the CellSearch(TM) Epithelial Cell Kit to be used for the
enumeration of circulating tumor cells of epithelial origin in whole blood.
Circulating tumor cells are present in the blood when a primary cancer
sheds tumor cells into the circulatory system. Cancer metastasis occurs when
circulating tumor cells begin to grow in distant locations in the body. The
ability to identify and count circulating tumor cells has the potential to
improve the ability of oncologists to care for their patients with metastatic
breast cancer.
Knowing the number of circulating tumor cells in the blood may help
oncologists make decisions about patients' treatment earlier than previously
possible. Until now, physicians had to wait three months or longer before they
could determine if a specific treatment was beneficial to the patient.
For more information about CellSearch(TM) Circulating Tumor Cells,
physicians can call Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute toll-free at
800-642-4657, extension 2906.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the nation's leading provider of
diagnostic testing, information and services, providing insights that enable
healthcare professionals to make decisions that improve health. The company
offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national
network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive
consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest
Diagnostics is the leading provider of esoteric testing, including gene-based
medical testing, and provides advanced information technology solutions to
improve patient care. Additional company information is available at:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com
Statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2003 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
CellSearch is a trademark of Veridex, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
(1) Cristofanilli, M, Budd, GT, Ellis, MJ, et al. Circulating Tumor
Cells, Disease Progression, and Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer.
N Engl J Med. 2004; 351:781-791.
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
-0- 09/20/2004
/CONTACT: Laure Park (Investors), +1-201-393-5030, or Gary Samuels
(Media), +1-201-393-5700, both for Quest Diagnostics Incorporated /
/Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com /
(DGX JNJ)