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Quest Diagnostics Announces the Availability of a New Gene-Based Assay To Help Physicians Identify the Primary Site of a Metastatic Cancer of Unknown Origin

LYNDHURST, N.J., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX - News), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic laboratory testing, information and services, announced today that it has developed a new gene- based assay to help physicians identify metastatic Cancers of Unknown Primary origin (CUP). This laboratory-developed assay is currently available to physicians through Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, the company's esoteric testing laboratory, in San Juan Capistrano, California, which validated and introduced the test. The assay is based upon intellectual property licensed from Arcturus BioScience, Inc.

The CUP assay is intended to aid the physician in identifying the primary site of origin of Cancers of Unknown Primary for 39 tumor types, establishing prognosis, and determining appropriate therapy.

"Understanding where the cancer started is a vital piece of information for pathologists, oncologists and patients," said Joyce G. Schwartz, M.D., Vice President and Chief Laboratory Officer. "With information about the source of the cancer, physicians will be better able to determine prognosis and appropriate therapy. Earlier identification of the primary tumor could increase the odds of successful cancer treatment and overall survival."(1)

CUP refers to metastatic cancer in which cancer cells are found somewhere in the body, but the place of origin where they first started growing cannot be identified from physical examination, pathologic analysis or other forms of diagnostic testing. CUP is estimated to represent 3% - 15% of newly diagnosed cancers.(2) An estimated 70,000 new CUP patients are diagnosed each year and prognosis is typically poor.

The new test for Cancer of Unknown Primary will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for pathologists and oncologists to assess CUP patients. Currently, without a true diagnostic for CUP, evaluating CUP patients using conventional diagnostic approaches based on imaging, biopsy, endoscopic and laboratory tests is a slow and costly process, typically taking several weeks or months and yielding limited success - identifying only 25% of primary cancers.(3) With the new CUP test, test results are available to physicians within two weeks.

The new CUP test uses gene expression profiling of biopsy tissue to determine the primary tumor site. Using the patient's biopsy specimen, gene expression profiles are generated for 92 genes using PCR methodology. The patient's gene expression profiles are compared to an in-house reference database comprising gene expression profiles from 39 known tumor types. Based on this comparison, the most likely site of origin is determined. Study results indicate that the test provides 82% sensitivity for identifying the site of origin in cancer of unknown primary and 99% specificity.(4)

For more information about the CUP test, physicians can call Nichols Institute toll-free at 1-800-642-4657, extension 2906.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com.

Each of the above forward-looking statements is subject to change based on various important factors, including without limitation, competitive actions in the marketplace and adverse actions of governmental and other third-party payors. Actual results could differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. Further information on potential factors that could affect LabCorp's financial results is included in the Company's Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and subsequent SEC filings.

(1) Abbruzzese et al, J. Clin Oncol, (August) 1995: pp 2094 - 2103
(2) Ibid.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Erlander MG, Patel R, Raja R, et al. Molecular classification of 39
cancer subtypes with a gene panel: implications for diagnosis of
carcinoma of unknown primary. Paper presented at : 11th Annual
Meeting of the Association for Molecular Pathology, November 11,
2005, Scottsdale, AZ.

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