Myriad Genetics today launched Precise Oncology Solutions, a new suite of tests that combines germline testing, tumor profiling, and companion diagnostic options including evaluation for Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD), an important cancer repair pathway.
The suite includes Myriad’s new Precise Tumor Molecular Profile Test, developed in collaboration with Intermountain Precision Genomics, other leading healthcare providers, and industry partners. By pairing that with the MyRisk Hereditary Cancer Test and the company’s two companion diagnostic tests, MyChoice CDx and BRACAnalysis CDx, Myriad aims to offer a testing combination that provides integrated genetic insights and makes it easier to tailor therapy and clinical trial selection. Precise Oncology Solutions is currently available for patients with solid cancer tumors.
MyChoice CDx is FDA approved for patients with ovarian cancer, and examines ovarian cancer tumors using BRCA1/2 mutation and genomic instability to determine a patient’s HRD status and resulting eligibility for targeted therapy. BRACAnalysis CDx identifies patients with a germline BRCA1/2 mutation and helps identify targeted treatment recommendations for patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
Multipanel gene tests have proliferated over the last few years and the number of genes and variants have grown. Companion diagnostic testing is also becoming more common. The market for these types of cancer tests alone is estimated about $6 billion. At Intermountain they report that for more than 75 percent of patients with advanced-stage cancer, they can identify actionable mutations for targeted treatment.
“The ability to receive comprehensive results from Myriad for both germline testing and tumor profiling, including companion diagnostics, is a long-awaited and much-needed innovation for patients fighting ovarian cancer,” said Bradley Monk, of Biltmore Cancer Center and Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Arizona, Phoenix. “The information gathered from each of these tests are critical elements to help navigate each patient’s unique cancer treatment path.”
As part of this new offering, healthcare providers can now place a single order for multiple Myriad tests and receive timely results through a new unified online portal. The portal serves as a central hub for providers to access the status of testing and easy-to-interpret summary findings. The results of each test are reported as completed and key findings are shared on a single summary page. Clinically significant discrepancies between individual reports are flagged and rectified to help physicians more easily interpret findings and develop care plans.
“Every patient deserves the most comprehensive assessment and cancer treatment available. Myriad’s new Precise offering is a significant step that brings us closer to achieving that goal,” said Lincoln Nadauld, Vice President, Chief of Precision Health and Academics, Intermountain Healthcare. “The combination of germline, somatic and companion testing allows doctors to be maximally informed to determine a personalized treatment plan that delivers the right medicine for the right patient at the right time.”
Myriad is also introducing a Precise Treatment Registry that combines germline, somatic, and HRD genetic data with patient outcomes to accelerate the pace of precision cancer research and equitable advancements in patient care. The registry is powered by DNAnexus’ cloud bioinformatics platform for scientific data analysis, collaboration and discovery. The registry will enable clinicians to explore hypotheses in real-time by analyzing diverse de-identified patient data involving ancestry, geography, cancer diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and more.
Over the next few years, Myriad plans to further expand its oncology portfolio into liquid biopsy applications, including Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) detection. These offerings will be based on the company’s scientific platforms and capabilities as well as potential industry partnerships with other healthcare innovators.
