Multi-Gene Expression Predicts Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence

A DNA microarray-based in vitro diagnostic laboratory service that measures the activity of 70 genes provides information about the likelihood of tumor recurrence.

The MammaPrint test measures the level of expression of the genes in a sample of a woman's surgically-removed breast cancer tumor and then uses a specific formula or algorithm to produce a score that determines whether the patient is deemed low risk or high risk for spread of the cancer to another site. The result may help a doctor in planning appropriate follow-up for a patient when used with other clinical information and laboratory tests.

Agendia's (Amsterdam, Netherlands) MammaPrint breast cancer prognosis test is an in vitro diagnostic multivariate index assay (IVDMIA), which has acquired market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clearance of Agendia's ‘de novo 510K' application for MammaPrint provides the legal basis for offering this service in the United States. Agendia had previously received clearance from European authorities to market MammaPrint in Europe and substantial progress has already been made there in market acceptance and reimbursement.

Dr. Bernhard Sixt, CEO at Agendia noted: The FDA's focus on the emerging field of molecular diagnostics underscores the growing importance of personalized medicine. Agendia is very pleased that its MammaPrint, as the frontrunner in this area, is the first to receive clearance by the FDA. This is not only an acknowledgement of Agendia's efforts to provide state of the art technology for the benefit of cancer patients, but also sends a clear message to the medical community that our MammaPrint test is reliable and clinically useful. In Europe Agendia's service has already demonstrated its technical robustness and reliability, adding significant clinical value for physicians and breast cancer patients. We are exploring ways to make this product available in the US. We are also confident that the present FDA clearance of MammaPrint will help to increase acceptance of this type of technology in clinical decision making for cancer in Europe.

Agendia focuses on the development and commercialization of diagnostic tests using tumor gene expression profiling. Agendia was the first company to commercialize a prognostic test—MammaPrint--that predicts the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Agendia maintains close ties with several leading academic centers to develop state of the art diagnostic tests for cancer. Agendia also offers its expertise to pharma companies focusing on development of highly effective personalized drugs in the area of oncology.




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