Presentations largely reflected negatively on the utility of PD-L1 for stratifying response, but pivotal new data on tumor mutational burden as assessed by Foundation Medicine's genomic sequencing panel.
Plenary session Chairwoman Elaine Mardis said the presentations made it clear how great the need is for interdisciplinary science as data becomes ever more complex.
The companies plan to develop a broad NGS panel to analyze all known biomarkers for cancer drugs, including tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability.
The companies are aiming to develop and establish clinical operation for the assays in Japan, where Hitachi said there is growing demand for such tests.
With multiple independent biomarkers, and potential combinations that may require even more subtyping, diagnostics to guide immunotherapy appears to be getting more complicated.
A bill passed by a US House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee would give scientific agencies including the National Science Foundation boosts in funding.
