Over the past year, several studies have shown that cancer patients bearing germinal mutations (present in every cell of the body) in the BRCA genes respond better to a type of treatment known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. This applies especially to those suffering from pancreatic cancer, prostate and, overall, from ovary and triple-negative breast cancer. This has been shown, for example, in the recent publication of Dr. Kathleen Moore1 in ‘The Lancet Oncology’ concerning studies conducted in women with ovarian cancer who received multiple chemotherapy treatments. Moreover, another research study performed by scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London in collaboration with the Gustave Roussy Institute in France suggested that PARP inhibitors could be combined with immunotherapy treatment in order to increase their efficacy.

For the patients it is crucial to detect BRCA1/2 mutations as soon as possible in order for them to receive PARP inhibitors that may allow them to overcome their disease. For this reason, OncoDNA, a company specialised in precision medication for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, has now expanded its OncoSTRAT&GO genomic test to include the profiling of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (as well as similar alterations in other genes – termed BRCAness phenotype – that can be also targeted by PARP inhibitors).

A more complete analysis with OncoSTRAT&GO

The OncoDNA R&D team has incorporated into the OncoSTRAT&GO test a specific panel that contains the study of several genes involved in the DNA repair of cancer cells. Specifically, 32 genes are analysed, selected for their clinical and therapeutic impact. This new panel is recommended in cases of triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer in order to determine whether the BRCAness phenotype is present and whether inhibitors of PARP are going to be effective.

«It analyses these genes in a more sensitive way than other techniques, making it possible to detect all kinds of genetic alterations, such as point mutations or large deletions or duplications of the genes,» explains Dr. Jean-Francois Laes, Chief Scientific Officer of OncoDNA.

This molecular profiling test, which the Belgian company has been using for years, has been improved over time. Today, OncoSTRAT&GO has become the only theranostic solution on the market combining the solid and liquid biopsy analysis of stageIV solid tumours. OncoSTRAT&GO is an integrated approach that combines the analyses of a solid biopsy (by next-generation sequencing (313 genes), tumour protein analyses (IHC) and additional testsa) with the analysis of a blood biopsy. The blood profiling focuses either on the circulating tumour DNA (40 genes for deciphering tumour heterogeneity) or on the DNA from blood cells (32 genes for studying specific germline gene alterations related to BRCAness phenotype that are challenging to detect in solid samples). OncoSTRAT&GO establishes a complete genetic profile of the tumour, which can be used to identify sensitivity or resistance to targeted therapies, chemotherapies and immunotherapies, either approved or under development. In addition, the test can be customised for tumours of unknown primary origin.

1.Moore et al; The Lancet Oncology – Volume 20, Issue 5, pp. 636–648, 1 May 2019a Base substitutions, insertions, deletions, copy number variations and rearrangements

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