St. Joseph's Selected As Only Site To Provide New Genetic Test For Deadly Type Of Brain Cancer

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 28 Jun 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix has partnered with Castle Biosciences, Inc. to provide the nation's first genomics-based test for patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme, the most deadly form of primary brain cancer. This new test is used to help doctors and patients consider various treatment options.

Castle Biosciences chose St. Joseph's DNA Diagnostics Lab as the sole location to perform this test following an extensive review process. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council facilitated key connections that led to the agreement between St. Joseph's and Castle Biosciences. Physicians from across the United States have now begun sending cases to Castle for DecisionDx-GBM testing to be run in St. Joseph's DNA Diagnostics Lab.

Based on a tumor's expression of a certain set of genes, this molecular diagnostic test can tell a doctor if the tumor is likely to be sensitive or resistant to the standard first line treatment. If resistant, precious time might be saved by evaluating different treatment plan options.

"Based on the results of clinical studies, DecisionDx-GBM is the most sensitive test available to tell a patient the likelihood of survival with first line therapy," says Derek Maetzold, president and CEO of Castle Biosciences. "The test results aid patients and physicians with their treatment planning and other decisions."

Dr. John Stone heads the DNA Diagnostics Laboratory at St. Joseph's and says his lab is "making possible personalized medicine, based on genomics. Our offering this test is a prime example of translational genomics closing the loop between the research lab and the clinic."

Dr. Stone believes the testing can "make a real difference in people's lives. While there is currently no cure, this test can certainly help patients understand and plan for the likely course of the disease."

Source:
Lynne Reaves
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center