Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the reproductive system. It is rising in incidence and mortality and there is currently no standard or routine screening test for the disease. It occurs when cancer cells form in the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. While the average age at diagnosis is 63 years old, there has been a sustained rise in cases among women under the age of 50 years in the past few decades.
Obesity and conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, including diabetes and polycystic ovaries system, are risk factors for the development of endometrial cancer, as well as conditions involving excess estrogen, including estrogen-secreting tumors, and hormone replacement with unopposed estrogen. In the United States, 57% of all endometrial cancers are attributable to obesity. For every five-unit increase in the BMI, the risk of cancer increases by more than 50%.
Women with genetic syndromes, such as Lynch and Cowden’s, have an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Specifically, women with Lynch syndrome have a lifetime risk of endometrial cancer of 40-60%, with a median age at onset of 48 years. Identification of Lynch Syndrome in patients with endometrial cancer has become increasingly important.
Preprogen’s focus is developing and advancing the first-and-only non-invasive at-home cell collection kit, PadKit™, for the early detection of endometrial cancer and other gynecologic cancers, known cancer markers (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2), vaginal infections, infectious diseases including STDs, fetal conditions, and other women’s health issues.
Currently under development, PadKit is the first at-home gynecologic cancer cell collection screening kit designed to collect whole, intact endometrial cancer cells on a unique, comfortable, Interlabial Collection Pad™ (ICP).
Preprogen is empowering women’s health by pioneering an at-home endometrial cancer cell collection screening kit, with PadKit™. Prescribed by and under the comprehensive care of a physician, PadKit offers the first-and-only, non-invasive detection of endometrial cancer cells.
In addition to the early detection of abnormal cancer cells and other women’s health issues, Preprogen’s patented fetal cell science technology will potentially provide unique insights into the development of the fetus and its cells throughout pregnancy. The goal is to screen early for abnormal markers, including Trisomy 21 (i.e., Down’s Syndrome), fetal RH factor, Tay Sachs disease, Cystic Fibrosis, and standard screening for Fetal Fibronectin.
