Clarient announced the launch of its new epidermal growth factor receptor mutation test to help physicians select the right treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients.
The laboratory-developed test analyzes formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples and detects EGFR mutations to help determine which NSCLC patients will respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments. The RT-PCR assay detects "the most common mutations of the EGFR gene," according to the company.
Test results are available in 10 to 12 days, the company website notes.
Erlotinib (Genentech's Tarceva) and gefitinib (AstraZeneca's Iressa) are two commonly prescribed TKI's in the treatment of NSCLC.
Several other companies market EGFR mutations tests, including Genzyme and DxS.