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NCCN Backs Molecular Testing for Prostate Cancer Patients in Certain Risk Groups

This article was updated to note that the Decipher test is sold by Decipher Biosciences, not GenomeDx Biosciences. 

NEW YORK – The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has updated prostate cancer guidelines to recommend biomarker testing for patients with unfavorable intermediate or high risk for aggressive disease.

Specifically, in the new version of the guidelines, issued on March 16, the NCCN states that men with unfavorable intermediate-risk and high-risk disease with a life expectancy of 10 years or longer can consider the use of Myriad Genetics' Prolaris test or Decipher Biosciences' Decipher test. Both molecular tests gauge the aggressiveness of patients' cancer. Previously, the NCCN "not routinely recommended" molecular testing for intermediate-risk and high-risk groups.

In a statement regarding the guidelines update, Myriad highlighted that recently presented data from a study involving more than 700 men demonstrated that Prolaris could predict whether a man would benefit from multi-modality therapy or if he could avoid aggressive treatment.

Additionally, men who have low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk disease and life expectancy of 10 years or longer can consider testing with Decipher, Prolaris, Exact Sciences/Genomic Health's Oncotype DX Prostate, and Dianon Pathology's ProMark.

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