Molecular diagnostics firm Biodesix announced that the GeneStrat test, a liquid biopsy for patients with cancer, now includes ROS1 and RET in addition to EGFR sensitizing; EGFR resistance (T790M), KRAS, BRAF mutations; and EML4-ALK fusions.
GeneStrat is a non-invasive blood test analyzing circulating tumor DNA and RNA. The test provides fast, highly sensitive results in 72 hours for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Physicians can utilize GeneStrat as part of the Biodesix Lung Reflex multi-omic, liquid biopsy testing strategy when reflexed to VeriStrat proteomic testing, to identify more aggressive tumor growth and inform likely patient benefit from treatment.
In 2016, nearly 80% of physicians who ordered GeneStrat chose to reflex to VeriStrat testing. The VeriStrat test and the genes tested in GeneStrat are covered by Medicare and many private payers.
Biodesix Lung Reflex testing offers significant advantages for patients and their physicians over tissue testing. With results available within 72 hours, GeneStrat and VeriStrat deliver comprehensive information for physicians to support critical treatment decisions as early as initial diagnosis, and can expedite appropriate treatment for patients. Tissue biopsy sample availability is often limited, and awaiting tumor biomarker results may delay treatment decisions and ultimately impact patient outcomes.
Blood testing can also capture mutation information regardless of tumor location or heterogeneity, while tissue testing may miss relevant molecular alterations.