Genomic Testing Improves Targeted Drug Treatments

A flexible molecular pathology test platform is being used to develop new clinical assays in response to the introduction of new genomic-based medicines.

The platform will be used for the molecular profiling of tumors and development of novel clinical assays as part of the provision of targeted and personalized medical treatment programs.

A molecular diagnostics company based in the UK has developed dedicated stratified medicine assay advancement and clinical testing services using special rapid technology gene sequencing and genotyping solutions. The company uses matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer for the rapid turnaround of tumor marker assays for gene mutation testing required before prescribing appropriate drug treatments for different types of cancer.

The company NewGene (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) is jointly owned by the local hospital trust and Newcastle University, (Tyne and Wear, UK). This platform, more usually associated with medical research applications, is now being used in molecular diagnostics to analyze specific genetic variants with very high levels of specificity and sensitivity. It is particularly suitable for the detection of known somatic point mutations in poor quality tumor DNA. The company has been successful in rapid turnaround of tumor marker assays for Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), V-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing using the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer from Sequenom Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA).

Michael Wright, MB, ChB, MSc, FRCP, a consultant clinical geneticist and a director of NewGene said, “There is clearly significant current interest in the power and effectiveness of targeted therapies and this has resulted in considerable growth in demand for biomarker testing services. We believe that such developments represent a significant step forwards towards comprehensive tumor profiling and more informed cancer therapy, which in turn will lead to better patient outcomes."

Related Links:
NewGene
Newcastle University
Sequenom Inc.