Early cancer detection firm Oncimmune Holdings announced on Monday that it has launched a liver cancer biopsy in the US using its EarlyCDT platform.
The biopsy, which is the second product to be launched using the AIM traded company's EarlyCDT platform, is a test for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a specificity of 97%, meaning that results can be analysed with a "high degree of certainty" according to Oncimmune.

Geoffrey Hamilton-Fairley, chief executive of Oncimmune, commented: "We are very pleased to announce the commercial availability of our EarlyCDT-Liver test, the second product from our EarlyCDT® platform technology, on schedule."

The prior product launched using the EarlyCDT platform was the EarlyCDT-Lung biopsy.

The company said it intends to distribute a 'kit' version of the liver biopsy product worldwide by the end of the first quarter of 2019.

The product is planned to be used in conjunction with the current existing diagnostic test alpha fetoprotein (AFP), which has come under scrutiny for questionable detection of HCC specifically.

"Currently most HCC cases are only detected once symptoms appear and usually in later stages of the disease. Our test, which measures autoantibodies, with exceptional specificity, can detect liver cancer in its early stages of development, giving the patient the chance of more treatment options and better prognosis. The validated test performance on early stage cancers means it should add significantly to current imaging," said Hamilton-Fairley.

Liver cancer is the second most fatal cancer on the planet and is associated with hepatitis B and C infections, consumption of alcohol, smoking and poor diet.

700,000 new cases are diagnosed ever year and over 600,000 deaths per year are attributed to the cancer.

As of 1640 BST, Oncimmune Holdings' shares were up 4.78% at 129.40p.

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