Illumina’s Pan-Cancer Companion Diagnostic Enables Targeted Therapy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 30 May 2022

Image: New pan-cancer companion diagnostic matches patients with rare genetic mutations to targeted therapy (Photo courtesy of Illumina)

Across most solid cancer tumor types, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions can have a rare prevalence of 0.1-3% and can be challenging to detect as these genes fuse with many different partners, many of them previously unknown. Most companion diagnostic (CDx) tests are specific to one type of cancer, but a new CDx test allows for identification of cancer patients with solid tumors who are positive for NTRK gene fusions, including NTRK1, NTRK2 or NTRK3.

Illumina Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) has announced the addition of a CDx indication to its CE-marked in vitro diagnostic TruSight Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive (EU) test. This single test kit, recently launched across Europe, assesses multiple tumor genes and biomarkers to reveal the specific molecular profile of a patient's cancer. The CDx pan-cancer indication will allow identification of cancer patients with solid tumors who are positive for NTRK gene fusions, as well as identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapy with VITRAKVI (larotrectinib) from Bayer AG (Leverkusen, Germany), in accordance with the approved therapeutic labeling.

TSO Comprehensive (EU) is a comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test which combines less prevalent biomarkers with more prevalent ones in the same test, using a single biopsy specimen. This helps maximize the chances of identifying an actionable alteration so that patients can be treated with a targeted therapy or enrolled into a clinical trial based on their unique tumor genomic profile. The addition of this first CDx claim specific to NTRK gene fusions, a rare but highly actionable biomarker, helps provide patients harboring this genetic alteration with an opportunity to benefit from larotrectinib, a genomically matched treatment.

Since the NTRK claim is pan-cancer, it enables TSO Comprehensive (EU) to target multiple solid tumor types and a broad range of known and novel gene fusion partners across all three NTRK genes. This helps maximize the chances of finding actionable information from each patient's biopsy, to inform treatment with larotrectinib. The performance of TSO Comprehensive (EU) with NTRK fusions was assessed by analytical and clinical validation studies. Pooled data from three clinical trials were used to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness and safety of TSO Comprehensive (EU) in identifying NTRK1, NTRK2 and NTRK3 gene fusion positive patients who may be eligible for treatment with larotrectinib. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR), measured as the patient presenting either a complete response, a surgical complete response or partial response, to larotrectinib.

"This CDx claim, developed in partnership with Bayer, is the first of a series under development, building upon Illumina's broad portfolio of oncology partnerships with industry leaders to advance cancer diagnostics and precision medicine," said Paula Dowdy, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Illumina for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "We continue to focus on unlocking the potential of new biomarkers to identify those most likely to benefit from precision medicines so that no patient is left behind—we don't want anyone to miss the opportunity to have their biomarker detected and gain access to a potentially life-saving therapy."

"Since it launched four years ago, VITRAKVI has demonstrated high response rates and highly durable responses in adults and children with TRK fusion cancer," said Christine Roth, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Bayer's Oncology Strategic Business Unit. "The CE marking of Illumina's TSO Comprehensive (EU) assay inclusive of NTRK gene fusion detection for VITRAKVI is an important advance in enabling precision oncology for patients in Europe. Assays that enable precision oncology through comprehensive genomic testing are crucial for informing optimal treatment plans and help to ensure the best possible outcomes for cancer patients. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Illumina to ensure that more patients are evaluated comprehensively inclusive of NTRK gene fusions."

Related Links:
Illumina Inc.
Bayer AG