Modern diagnostics increasingly make use of primary biomarkers to identify disease. This is exemplified by proteins that exist in elevated or decreased levels in the presence of disease as a direct result of the disease process. As our knowledge about cancers has grown, it has been possible to identify biomarkers directly related to disease with the prospect of developing highly precise diagnostic tests.

At Roche mtm laboratories AG, initial programs have focused on the identification of a protein (p16^INK4a) that is greatly elevated in cervical cancer. Tests that detect the presence of this protein offer potential for more accurate diagnostic solutions. mtm has developed a suite of diagnostic and early detection tests with antibody-based detection of the proteinmarker p16^INK4a from cervical specimens. mtm's diagnostic kits are based around the E6H4™; antibody clone which is highly selective and sensitive in detecting p16^INK4a and the very early oncogenic processes of high risk HPV transforming infection that lead to cervical cancer. The CINtec® Histology Kit is available for early detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer.