Provides Newly Diagnosed Patients Genomic Baseline
BRENTWOOD, TENN. – (June 18, 2015) – PathGroup, one of the largest private providers of pathology services in the United States, announced today the launch of new cancer-specific SmartGenomics™ testing, expanding their genomic profiling menu for community-based oncologists. The addition of five diagnostic panels targeting cancers of lung, colon, brain, thyroid and melanoma/GIST represent testing options for newly diagnosed patients, the result of which will enable physicians to make more precise therapeutic recommendations and clinical management decisions.
PathGroup SmartGenomics uses multiple technologies to provide a complete genomic picture of a patient’s individual cancer. Each panel offers cost-effective, tailored genomic testing for its respective disease utilizing guideline recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Standard of care diagnostic features include expanded RAS testing in colorectal cancer, biomarkers EGFR, ALK, ROS1, RET, MET in lung cancer, and BRAF, KIT mutation testing in melanoma.
“Genes that are relevant at diagnosis of lung cancer are not the same as those of melanoma or colon adenocarcinoma,” said Pranil K. Chandra, DO, Medical Director of Molecular Pathology Services at PathGroup. “PathGroup has profiled thousands of patients and we have found that the addition of diagnostic testing at biopsy via SmartGenomics and gold-standard technologies are true advances to our customers and ultimately our patients. As evidenced by the plethora of new and upcoming genomically-driven clinical trials, integrating genomic profiling into patient management and therapy selection is the future of clinical oncology practice and cancer pharmacotherapeutic development.”
Results from PathGroup’s cancer-specific panels provide treating clinicians with actionable information, linking the findings to available clinical trial options, therapies or both. Powered by the SmartGenomics platform, PathGroup offers comprehensive disease interrogation through all stages of cancer. The personalized medicine menu includes 62 and 85 gene panels for relapsed or refractory solid tumors and hematomalignancies, whole genome array analysis of greater than 22,000 genes, and disease-specific sequencing at initial diagnosis. With a best-in-class precision oncology suite, PathGroup provides a total lab solution for community-based oncologists from clinical to genomic.
Members of the oncology community have expressed an increased need for advanced testing earlier in the diagnostic-therapeutic continuum. Tennessee Oncology, one of the largest physician-owned oncology practices in the country, Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey F. Patton, MD, added, “When considering the likelihood of recurrence in many cancers, having a baseline of the most commonly altered pathways for each tumor allows us to determine what changes have occurred since initial diagnosis. Utilizing advanced genomic testing early in the cancer care continuum gives Tennessee Oncology physicians the ability to tailor treatments for each patient’s specific cancer.”
About PathGroup
Founded in 1965, PathGroup has evolved into a premier provider of anatomic, clinical and molecular pathology services. Privately held and physician centric, PathGroup works seamlessly with customers to provide superior diagnostic services – a vital link in the cycle of patient relationships. PathGroup uses the latest in proprietary and industry standard technology to deliver fast, accurate results. The company provides clients with the highest quality of services available, consistently exceeding the expectations of physicians, employees, payers and most importantly, patients. One Lab; Total Service. For more information, visit www.pathgroup.com
