News From the Forefront of Cancer Diagnostics

The field of cancer diagnostics moves rapidly, as scientists around the world pour resources into finding new solutions, diagnostics and treatments

In this article, we highlight some of the very latest cancer diagnostic news, including new partnerships using next generation sequencing technology, brand new diagnostic cancer tests, and an interesting look at the ‘elephants in the room’ with regards to whole slide imaging.

1. Swift Biosciences and SeraCare Partner on Circulating Tumor DNA Standards for NGS-Based Oncology Assays

Swift Biosciences, developer of innovative technologies for genomics research, and SeraCare Life Sciences, a manufacturer and leading partner to global in vitro diagnostics manufacturers, have announced a partnership to accelerate development of a novel circulating tumor DNA reference material.

2. Elephants in the Room – Whole Slide Imaging

Mark Clymer, from Datacolor Scientific, discusses the ‘elephants in the room’ for whole slide imaging (WSI) manufacturers. This article is written in the wake of the Digital Pathology Association’s announcement that the ‘de novo’ application process may be acceptable by the FDA for clearance of WSI devices for diagnostic uses.

3. Agena Bioscience Partners with DaRui Biotech to Bring MassARRAY Technology to the Diagnostics Market in China

Agena Bioscience recently announced its partnership with DaRui Biotechnology to co-develop a menu of in vitro diagnostic tests for oncology and inherited diseases on its MassARRAY^® System for targeted genetic analysis.

4. Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) is Cost Effective Compared to Colonoscopy

The new NICE guidelines [NG12] for “Suspected cancer: recognition and referral” have recommended Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) as a cost effective method in primary care, for detecting colorectal cancers in people aged 40 or older with a change in bowel habit.

5. MDxHealth Analytical Validation Study on AssureMDx for Bladder Cancer Published in The Journal of Urology

MDxHealth SA has announced that data demonstrating the clinical potential of its urine-based epigenetic bladder cancer test AssureMDx, to aid urologists in the management of patients presenting with hematuria (blood in the urine), has been published in The Journal of Urology.

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