A pair of new fecal metagenomics studies pointed to gut microbial community shifts, related functional changes, and specific signatures for colorectal cancer.
The firms plan to use Natera's cell-free DNA liquid biopsy assay to monitor patients' response to Amal's cancer vaccine in combination with immunotherapy.
Epigenomics terminated a licensing contract related to Chinese distribution rights for its Septin9 biomarker and Epi proColon colorectal cancer blood test.
The deal will focus on Biocartis' Idylla MSI test, which provides information on a tumor's microsatellite instability status of a tumor from a single FFPE slice.
Epigenomics terminated its collaboration with China's BioChain for the licensing of the septin9 marker and exclusive Chinese distribution rights for Epi proColon.
The firm will expand on its MSI assay for use in immunotherapy while developing liquid biopsy assays to monitor patients post therapy and for recurrence.
Based on the findings, MD Anderson is already using HER2 status to recommend patients for clinical trials instead of EGFR drugs and authors recommend others follow suit.
In a point-counterpoint in the Boston Globe, researchers discuss the potential of gene editing to prevent Lyme disease, but also the pitfalls of doing so.
