Boston, MA 06/11/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX), the leading provider of clinical laboratory services has recently announced the launch of a new cancer test service.
bioMerieux THxID®-BRAF test
The kit is useful in the detection of the BRAF V600E and V600K mutations in the DNA samples. It is ‘In Vitro Diagnostic’ device that test FFPE human melanoma tissue. It is based on the THxID®-BRAF test from bioMerieux.
THxID®-BRAF test is an FDA approved test. The THxID®-BRAF test is bundled with the drugs for the treatment of two melanomas. It helps to select the patients suffering from melanoma carrying tumors with BRAF V600E mutation to be treated either with dabrafenib or trametinib.
FDA has approved the use of drugs along with the gene test in May 2013. The drugs are manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. The drug is used in the treatment of patients suffering from advanced or unresectable melanoma. The THxID-BRAF test kit is manufactured by bioMerieux.
Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX): Leading diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX) offers the most advanced Dermatopathology testing to improve outcomes that are based on the clinical testing of the patient. It helps the physicians to by guiding them in treatment decisions as well as providing better health facility. Quest is in contact with about half of the US physicians and hospitals. Doctors and patients can now have easy access to the test
‘cobas® 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation test’ by Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX) helps in the detection of the BRAF V600E mutation and help the physicians to select patients to be treated with vemurafenib. Vemurafenib is an oral medicine for patients whose melanoma tumors harbor the mutation. It is an FDA approved test. Quest also offers test for BRAF mutations in melanoma as well as thyroid and colorectal cancers.
Benefits to doctors and patients
The most reported deaths from skin cancer are caused due to Melanoma. Most of the melanomas are caused due to BRAF gene mutation. It has been estimated that out of 76,100 Americans diagnosed with melanoma; 9,710 will die in 2014.
The hospitals and other physicians can now ask for the test through Quest Diagnostics Inc (NYSE:DGX). The doctors can easily conduct testing through Quest THxID®-BRAF test. The patients will be benefited the most as doctors can now optimize their treatment after the THxID®-BRAF test.
