Three Comprehensive Liquid Biopsy Tests Launched for Use in Patients With Cancer

NeoGenomics announced the launch of 3 comprehensive liquid biopsy tests for advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), all solid tumors, and certain breast cancer tumors, according to a press release.

The addition of these new tests, which include InVisionFirst-Lung, NeoLAB Solid Tumor Liquid Biopsy, and QIAGEN therascreen PIK3CA RGQ PCR, will help physicians deliver biomarker information from potentially any patient with a solid tumor or hematologic malignancy. This will be particularly useful when a tissue biopsy is not possible.

"Liquid biopsy testing is an increasingly important tool. Being able to return results for solid tumor patients now means oncologists and pathologists can work with a single laboratory for comprehensive diagnostic and management testing," said Doug VanOort, chief executive officer of NeoGenomics, in a press release. "The launch of these 3 liquid biopsy assays exemplifies our commitment to providing the most comprehensive oncology menu for our clients as a one-stop-shop for their testing needs."

These liquid biopsy tests will provide physicians with a peripheral blood option for the detection of potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers. The assays have a turnaround time of 7 days or less, which will save physicians more time compared with use of tissue biopsies.

Liquid biopsy assays are particularly useful when there is not enough tissue for a tissue biopsy or the tissue is unattainable, which is often the case in cancers like NSCLC. The company collaborated with Inivata to gain access to InVisionFirst-Lung, a liquid biopsy assay to aid testing in patients with advanced NSCLC.

InVisionFirst-Lung tests 37 genes related to the care of patients with advanced NSCLC and covers all genomic drivers included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline recommendations. This assay delivers results within 7 days and is covered by Medicare and various other private insurance payers for patients who meet select criteria.

NeoLAB Solid Tumor Liquid Biopsy is designed to test various cancers, including lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma, among others. The assay is a highly sensitive, specific next-generation sequencing test for genomic profiling. NeoLAB Solid Tumor Liquid Biopsy joins 14 other NeoLAB tests available to patients with hematologic malignancies, providing an opportunity for biomarker evaluation when a bone marrow biopsy is not feasible or peripheral blood counts are low.

QIAGEN therascreen PIK3CA RGQ PCR Kits has been approved by the FDA in May 2019 as a companion diagnostic test for alpelisib (Piqray). The assay can detect 11 clinically actionable mutations in the PIK3CAgene via genomic DNA that is extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tumor tissue or circulating tumor DNA isolated from K2EDTA anticoagulated peripheral whole blood plasma in patients with breast cancer. In the coming weeks, this assay will be launched for plasma testing to address situations where PIK3CA gene testing cannot be done evaluated by a tissue biopsy due to insufficient tumor samples, low quantity of tumor cells, or tissue sample decalcification.

Overall, these 3 assays will aid physicians in the treatment decision-making process for both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

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_{NeoGenomics launches comprehensive suite of solid tumor liquid biopsy tests for cancer patients. News Release. NeoGenomics. June 29, 2020. Accessed June 30, 2020. https://bit.ly/2VsxQRV}