GENZYME LAUNCHES NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR COMMON BLOOD CANCER

Genzyme Corporation announced the availability of its p53 Mutation Analysis for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). P53 is a tumor suppressor gene that stops cell division when DNA damage is present. When the p53 gene does not function normally, genetic mutations that can occur in dividing cells remain unchecked, thereby leading to the accumulation of abnormal, malignant cells. Mutations in p53 are present in greater than 50 percent of all human cancers, including colon, breast, lung, bladder, brain, liver, and hematological malignancies. Web Wire (http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=17437)