California-based genomic-build clinical laboratory service provider Genomic Health Inc. (GHDX) recently released positive results from its first two likelihood studies. Both the studies involved the evaluation of the company's multiple technologies and methods in identifying the presence of tumor DNA and tumor DNA alterations in a patient's urine and blood.
In the two distinct clinical studies, investigators from Genomic Health analyzed the ability of the company's next-generation sequencing (NGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technologies in identifying the presence of bladder cancer DNA in urine and breast cancer DNA in blood, while also specifying their individual features.
The trial outcomes confirmed that Genomic Health's non-invasive tests can be effectively utilized in detecting the presence of cancer DNA in a patient's liquid-biopsy sample, while analyzing multiple tumor-derived genomic signatures.
Genomic Health presented the initial results from these two studies at the 2014 Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Annual Meeting and the ongoing 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).
Moreover, on Dec 12, 2014, Genomic Health will demonstrate a presentation titled “Global quantitative measures using next-generation sequencing for breast cancer presence outperform individual tumor markers in plasma," at the SABCS.
Liquid biopsy tests are capable of successfully measuring the presence of cancer in one's bloodstream or urine, along with the extent of spread in it. These tests can also measure the response of a cancer patient to a specific drug, thereby helping physicians to undertake appropriate treatment decisions.
The aforementioned study results are reflective of Genomic Health's consistent dedication toward the development of a standardized non-invasive liquid biopsy test, which will allow ongoing evaluation of a patient's state of cancer to gain quantitative insights in real-time. This will help keep the physician informed in treatment planning, throughout the cancer patient's journey, from diagnosis to treatment selection and monitoring.
Evidently, Genomic Health is conducting larger-scale proof-of-concept studies investigating analytical methods that will use liquid biopsy samples for accurate and scalable genomic analysis in breast and bladder cancer patients. The company plans to introduce its first liquid biopsy-based test in 2016.
We believe this announcement, apart from transforming the traditional treatment options available for cancer cure, has also helped bolster investors' confidence in the company's stock.
Zacks Rank
Currently, Genomic Health has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other stocks worth reckoning in the med-biomed/generic industry are Affymetrix Inc. (AFFX), Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) and ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANIP). All the three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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