By Lori Solomon, Editor, Diagnostic Testing & Emerging Technologies
The White House recently unveiled a comprehensive, federal plan to combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Diagnostics play a prominent role in the national action plan.
The emergence of drug resistance in bacteria is posing a national health threat and undermining clinicians' ability to treat bacterial infections and perform a range of therapeutic medical procedures. It is estimated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that drug-resistant bacteria cause 23,000 deaths and 2 million illnesses annually in the United States.
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By Kelly A. Briganti, Editorial Director, G2 Intelligence
Clinical practice guidelines addressing colorectal cancer testing were released for public comment, through the joint efforts of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The Guideline on the Evaluation of Molecular Markers for Colorectal Cancer Workgroup Draft Recommendations Summary, focuses on "the use of molecular marker testing for patients with primary or metastatic colorectal carcinoma" and aims to facilitate personalized and targeted treatment for colorectal cancer patients.
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By Ron Shinkman, Editor, Laboratory Industry Report
New Jersey-based Rosetta Genomics has received a patent for its kidney cancer assay, the company announced this week.
Rosetta received a patent for its gene expression test, which can identify four types of kidney cancer: oncocytoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. The assay is performed by identifying micro-RNA in the patient's blood or other tissue. Rosetta received a patent on the expression profiling of 24 sets of micro-RNA and an algorithm that is used to classify the results. It is jointly owned with Tel Hashomer Medical Research Ltd., which oversees technology transfers from Chaim Sheba Medical Center in Israel..
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By Stephanie Murg, Managing Director, G2 Intelligence
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (New Brunswick, N.J.) is taking a personalized approach to clinical trials. The National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is partnering with the Meridian Health system to offer patients with rare forms of cancer or with cancer that no longer responds to standard treatment access to a study that will use genomic sequencing to tailor treatment. The clinical trial is part of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey's "precision medicine" initiative.
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