NeoGenomics offers two new cfDNA tests
NeoGenomics has expanded its liquid biopsy testing menu to include two new tests, a NeoLab Solid Tumor Monitor and a NeoLab BTK Inhibitor Acquired Resistance test. Each of the tests uses cell-free DNA from peripheral blood plasma without the need for tissue biopsies.
The NeoLab Solid Tumor Monitor is designed to quantify and track genomic abnormalities in tumors using cfDNA. It is offered to help the treating physician monitor cancer patients to evaluate response to therapy. Information from the liquid biopsy test can also be used to capture the heterogeneity in the cancer, monitor the emergence of new resistant clones, and predict relapse.
Because this liquid biopsy test may not be appropriate for some patients with early disease, NeoLab Solid Tumor Monitor testing is restricted to patients with documented metastatic cancer who carry specific molecular abnormalities that were confirmed at NeoGenomics by tissue biopsy testing. Testing of cfDNA in this subgroup of patients is performed using next-generation sequencing along with a high-sensitivity procedure.
The NeoLab BTK Inhibitor Acquired Resistance test is designed to predict resistance to Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors using highly-sensitive proprietary technology developed at NeoGenomics. Resistance to BTK inhibitors is associated with mutations in the BTK and PLCG2 genes. This test is capable of detecting mutations in these two genes prior to tissue or cell-based testing. The test can be used to monitor patients treated with BTK inhibitors, especially in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Using this methodology, mutations in BTK and PLCG2 can be detected about two to 12 months prior to the appearance of overt clinical resistance to therapy.
“When properly used, liquid biopsies can provide very important information in managing solid tumors as well as hematologic neoplasms,” Dr. Maher Albitar, NeoGenomics chief medical officer and director of research and development, said in a statement. “Our goal for these two new tests is to help physicians make the proper change in therapy and replace expensive drugs that are not working with drugs that have the potential to work. Our proprietary advances in NGS allow us to increase the sensitivity of this important technology and make these liquid biopsy offerings possible.”