Rosetta Genomics Ltd. is a molecular diagnostics company with offices in Israel and the United States that uses micro-ribonucleic acid (microRNA) biomarkers to develop diagnostic tests designed to differentiate between various types of cancer.[1] The company expects the first three tests based on its technology to be submitted for regulatory approval in 2008.[2] The diagnostic tests will differentiate between squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); differentiate between adenocarcinoma and peritoneal mesothelioma;[3] and seek to identify the origin of tumors in patients representing cancer of unknown primary (CUP).[4] Using a single microRNA, the highly sensitive, highly specific test for squamous and non-squamous lung cancer has passed the prevalidation phase [3] and has been submitted for approval to the New York State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program in April 2008.[2]
In April 2008, Nature Biotechnology published a study by Rosetta Genomics’ scientists whose findings demonstrate microRNAs' significant potential to act as effective biomarkers that may be applied in a diagnostic test designed to identify the primary tumor site in patients CUP.[5] In addition to its diagnostic programs, Rosetta Genomics is collaborating with Isis Pharmaceuticals to develop a microRNA-based therapy for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer.[6]