Diatheva is participating in “Epi-MET – Functionalization of (epi)genomic aberrations in metastatic tumors”, an innovation project focused on the development of new circulating biomarkers for human cancers.
The project brings together complementary scientific and technological expertise through the collaboration of:
- BIOGEM S.C. a r.l.
- Diatheva s.r.l.
- University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”
The initiative is funded by the Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy under the Innovation Agreements framework, established by Ministerial Decree of 31 December 2021 and Directorial Decree of 18 March 2022, with grant approval through Decree no. 0000019 of 14 March 2024.
The project runs from 2 November 2023 to 1 November 2026.
Expanding beyond conventional biomarker approaches
Current approaches to circulating biomarker analysis often focus on conventional mutations in circulating tumor DNA or on tumor-associated peptides and proteins.
Epi-MET explores a different strategy, based on the study of non-coding RNAs and RNA and DNA methylation modifications as innovative molecular biomarkers.
A distinctive aspect of the project is its broader biological perspective. Rather than focusing exclusively on tumor-specific genetic alterations, the approach also considers the microenvironment in which the tumor develops and its interaction with other host cellular components.
Because epigenetic markers are influenced by these interactions, they represent a promising area for the development of more advanced diagnostic methods.
Diatheva’s contribution to the project
Within the Epi-MET project, Diatheva is involved in two objectives focused on the design and development of methods for the detection of metastasis-related biomarkers from serum.
Within OR5, activities focus on the evaluation of current technologies and the development of new methods for detecting predictive biomarkers associated with metastatic tumors, with the goal of improving clinical applicability. Two methods are being assessed: one targeting the expression of miR-93, miR-223 and miR-532, and a second based on the evaluation of MALAT-1 and miR-423-5p.
Within OR6, activities focus on the evaluation of new strategies for identifying specific genetic biomarkers associated with metastatic tumors, with particular attention to CEACAM1, a biomarker of interest for prognostic applications in the assessment of metastatization in several solid tumors. The objective is to explore non-invasive methods capable of quantifying CEACAM1 and its isoforms.
Developing multiplex diagnostic solutions
One of the project’s objectives is the development of diagnostic kits capable of working in multiplex format, enabling the simultaneous measurement of multiple molecular parameters through (epi)genetic signatures.
The goal is to support the development of diagnostic solutions that combine broader molecular analysis with operational efficiency, through approaches designed to be rapid, cost-effective, and minimally invasive.
