Myriad Genetics, a molecular diagnostic company, has launched myRisk Hereditary Cancer test, a new multi-gene diagnostic cancer panel designed to provide increased sensitivity by analysing 25 genes associated with eight major types of the disease.
The new panel will focus on breast, colorectal, ovarian, endometrial, pancreatic, prostate and gastric, as well as melanoma cancers.
By using this next-generation test, the healthcare providers can achieve clear and actionable information to improve patient care, regardless of whether the patient receives a positive or negative test result.
The test report is designed to include a genetic test result, a clinical risk and healthcare management tool in accordance to professional society guidelines.
Myriad Genetics Laboratories president Mark Capone said: "myRisk Hereditary Cancer will improve the quality of patient care by empowering healthcare providers with knowledge about their patients’ risk of hereditary cancer and the appropriate medical management options available based on that risk."
myRisk Hereditary Cancer will initially be launched as an early-access, clinical-experience programme to a limited number of medical and scientific leaders and then followed by an expanded access programme later this year.
The company anticipates to present clinical validity data for myRisk Hereditary Cancer at upcoming CGA annual meeting and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center chief, division of hematology and oncology Dr Lee S Schwartzberg said Myriad was taking a stepwise, careful approach to responsibly gather clinical experience with the myRisk Hereditary Cancer test before fully launching this potentially revolutionary new diagnostic test for hereditary cancer.
"The breadth of Myriad’s new test report should empower medical professionals with the right information to facilitate better education and counselling for their patients."
According to GlobalData estimates, the tumour marker market in the US was valued at $489m in 2012 is expected to increase at CAGR of 6.6% to reach $765m by 2019.
