HbA1c May Be on the Way Out

HbA1c reporting may be dropped in favor of other glucose testing as early as 2008. New ways to evaluate glucose control with specific look at complications are winning. For example, see below.

Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 11:35 AM
Subject: GlycoMark Update

Dear Physician:

Re: Update on GLYCOMARK Assay – A Novel Biomarker for Postprandial Hyperglycemia

Now Available at LabCorp – Order Code 500115

At the recent American Diabetes Association 2006 annual meeting, the results of a newly published study (Dungan et al. Diabetes Care 2006; 29 (6): 1214-1219) were presented in which it was concluded that the GlycoMark blood test is the most robust reflection of postprandial hyperglycemia compared to A1C and fructosamine. The GlycoMark test measures a unique monosaccharide, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, in blood.

Since this time, the GlycoMark test has been used increasingly in clinical practice nationwide and is being used in pharmaceutical clinical studies to monitor the effectiveness of several therapeutic agents targeting postprandial hyperglycemia. In fact, in a study presented at the ADA annual meeting looking at the effects of sitagliptin (JANUVIA) therapy, the GlycoMark test showed a significantly more dramatic change than A1C – an almost 10-fold difference comparing the change of GlycoMark to A1C from baseline to study end.

In 2007, new studies will be presented throughout the year showing the superiority of the GlycoMark assay over A1C in monitoring the effectiveness of several new drugs targeting postprandial hyperglycemia. We also anticipate the announcement of several events related to GlycoMark in 2007:

* The inclusion of GlycoMark into the clinical practice guidelines of one or more professional diabetes societies.
* Reports of key studies describing the relationship of GlycoMark to postprandial hyperglycemia and cardiovascular parameters.
* The use of GlycoMark as a companion diagnostic to recently introduced therapeutic agents targeting postprandial hyperglycemia will be presented at the annual AACE, ADA, and EASD meetings.

We look forward to updating you on these upcoming events throughout the year.

Ordering the GlycoMark Test

The test is now available through LabCorp (Order Code 500115; Phone 800-762-4344), Specialty Laboratories (Order Code S51094; Phone 800-421-4449), and Esoterix (Order Code 500609; Phone: 800-444-9111). The reimbursement code is 84378. More information on GlycoMark is also available at www.glycomark.com.

Eric A. Button
President & Managing Director
BioMarker Group
North Carolina Research Campus
ebutton@biomarkergroup.com