Encouraging data reported for genomic tests for lung, breast therapy.

2003 JUL 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genomic Health, Inc., announced encouraging preliminary data in clinical trials using a novel approach to molecular pathology.

RNA analysis of thin sections of standard tumor biopsies were used to evaluate panels of genes that may predict breast cancer recurrence and response to chemotherapy as well as response to EGFR inhibitor therapy in lung cancer. Based on promising results, Genomic Health has begun large-scale clinical trials that will examine prospectively defined endpoints in breast cancer recurrence and plans to conduct similar large-scale trials looking at response to chemotherapy and EGFR inhibitor therapy.

Clinical trial findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Genomic Health has perfected the technology to do genomic analysis in fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FPET), stored tumor tissue samples collected over the past 20 years. "The feasibility of RNA expression profiling using fixed tumor tissue represents a significant advance," said George Sledge, MD, professor of medicine, Indiana University. "Instead of waiting years to accumulate fresh tissue and track patient outcomes, Genomic Health's FPET analysis can be performed using routinely stored biopsies from patients with known outcomes therefore accelerating clinical trials," said Sledge.

Encouraging ...