Diagnovus launches commercial gene expression assay for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Diagnovus, LLC, a molecular diagnostic company focused on underserved, aggressive, and lesser-known diseases, has announced the launch of ENGAUGE-cancer-DLBCL, the first commercial gene expression assay that can aid physicians in better risk stratification and treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
DLBCL is an aggressive tumor that can arise in virtually any part of the body. Physicians currently assess a patient’s DLBCL risk of disease progression and outcome by using the International Prognostic Index (IPI), but more accurate classification of patients based on the underlying tumor biology is needed to allow physicians and patients to make more informed treatment decisions.
“ENGAUGE-cancer-DLBCL, which combines a patient’s IPI score and the results of the gene expression assay, can more accurately predict outcomes for patients than IPI alone in order to optimize treatment choices for patients,” says Ron Levy, MD, leader of the Lymphoma Program at Stanford University School of Medicine. “Traditional stratification schemes based on clinical characteristics such as the IPI have provided prognostic guidance in the management of patients with DLBCL. Despite the ease of use, IPI does not fully capture disease heterogeneity, and it is common to have two patients with identical IPI risk scores have very different outcomes.”
Izidore Lossos, MD, head of the Lymphoma Program at the University of Miami, adds, “Application of better prognostic models at diagnosis will change the treatment of DLBCL patients, leading to more effective care. Knowledge of molecular prognostic markers may identify cellular mechanisms leading to the recognition of specific molecular targets for new therapeutic approaches.” Learn more about ENGAUGE-cancer–DLBCL.
