The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through the Foundation for Innovation and the Prospective Health in Spain (FIPSE) has selected, from among hundreds of proposals, the CEMARK project, for the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, to take part in the 2017 Edition of the International Mentoring Program.CEMARK is being developed by the Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology, led by Dr. Antonio Gil, the same group that a few years ago developed and launched the GynEC-DX kit along with the joint venture Geadic AIE for the molecular diagnosis of endometrial cancer. "GynEC-DX is implemented in clinical practice, mainly to exclude patients who are negative for cancer of the endometrium of the diagnostic process, but has some limitations, and with the aim of further improving we launched the CEMARK project," explains Dr. Eva Colás Ortega, responsible for the project and senior researcher at the Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology. CEMARK is possible thanks to the entire team and especially to Dr. Silvia Cabrera and Elena Martínez.The CEMARK project, based on the identification of protein markers present in the fluid of the uterine aspirates, counted with the participation of 152 women. "Since the number of cells contained in the uterine fluid obtained by aspiration is insufficient for an accurate diagnosis, we search for information in the own fluid that is in contact with the tumor. And thus, we were able to determine some biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis, one of the major clinical challenges of this disease," says Dr. Colás.

Difficulties in the current diagnostic process

Currently the endometrial cancer is diagnosed by endometrial biopsy, done in the first instance by aspiration, which is subjected to a histopathological study. In 22% of the cases, it does not allow to reach a final diagnosis because the amount of cells obtained is insufficient. In these cases, women should be subjected to a test much more invasive, hysteroscopy, which entails a higher risk of complications. CEMARK will get 100% of the diagnoses in the least invasive sample and thus, avoid most of the hysteroscopies. In addition, CEMARK will provide a differential diagnosis.The passage through the MITFor six months, a group of international experts will analyze the CEMARK project in order to identify the major constraints that may exist on the road to clinical practice and receive advice in these areas."the passage through the MIT will serve so that the prototype is fully and properly developed, and define the best strategy to get this product to market," concludes Dr. Eva Colás.

First prize of the MAP Program

Cemark has participated in the 7th edition of the MAP Program (Market Assesment Program), organized by EADA and ACCIó, in which it has been awarded the first prize. It is a free program for advice and support for innovation with the mission of bringing research projects to create new Technology Based Companies (EBT).