Myriad Genetics Unveils New Cancer Care Innovations at 2024 ASCO Meeting

Myriad Genetics, Inc., a prominent player in genetic testing and precision medicine, alongside its collaborators, is set to present data from seven studies at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. These studies cover a range of topics, including breast cancer risk assessment, molecular residual disease (MRD), and innovative genetic tests designed to aid personalized cancer treatments.

Key Presentations and Findings

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Myriad will present three significant studies related to breast cancer risk assessment. One key study, led by Dr. Holly J. Pederson from the Cleveland Clinic, evaluates a polygenic risk score for predicting early-onset triple-negative breast cancer in Black women. This study suggests that Myriad’s RiskScore might offer better predictive capabilities compared to traditional clinical factors.

Another study examines a new 385-SNP polygenic risk score component of RiskScore, showing its effectiveness across diverse ancestries in predicting breast cancer risk. Additionally, a third study highlights that clinicians' breast cancer screening recommendations align with guidelines for patients with a significant lifetime risk, whether assessed through RiskScore or other traditional methods.

Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) and Genetic Profiles
The presentations will also cover MRD and germline genetic profiles in ovarian and uterine cancers. For instance, a pilot study on clear cell renal cell carcinoma indicates that MRD results align with mortality status and suggests that repeated biopsies might not be necessary for long-term MRD monitoring.

Data from the Myriad Collaborative Research Registry (MCRR) reveal significant findings in ovarian cancer patients, showing that over 15% have pathogenic variants linked to BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome. These findings underscore the importance of universal genetic testing. Similar disparities are noted in uterine cancer, influencing eligibility for specific immunotherapies and highlighting the need for more targeted research in minority populations.

Another notable study explores the efficacy of a neoadjuvant combination therapy using olaparib and pembrolizumab in patients with HRD-positive advanced ovarian cancer, showing promising results.

Myriad's Ongoing Innovations
Myriad continues to expand its oncology portfolio with several innovative products and research collaborations. The company's Precise™ Oncology Solutions include comprehensive germline and somatic testing options. Among these are the MyRisk® Hereditary Cancer Test with RiskScore®, the Precise™ Tumor Test, and the EndoPredict® Breast Cancer Prognostic Test. Additionally, Myriad's MyChoice CDx HRD and BRACAnalysis CDx® Germline Companion Diagnostic Tests represent its FDA-approved offerings.

Upcoming Developments
Significantly, Myriad is advancing MRD testing with its Precise MRD platform, a sophisticated, whole-genome sequencing-based test capable of detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with high sensitivity. This technology is currently available for research and is expected to launch commercially in 2025. Moreover, Myriad has embarked on several research collaborations to further explore MRD's utility across various cancers, with early results from a partnership with MD Anderson to be shared at ASCO.

Myriad is also enhancing its tumor profiling and liquid biopsy capabilities. The recent acquisition of assets from Intermountain Precision Genomics’ laboratory business has enabled Myriad to internalize its testing processes, with a planned launch of Precise Liquid in 2025.

Data Sharing and Collaboration
Launched in December 2023, the Myriad Collaborative Research Registry (MCRR) now includes data from over a million patients, making it one of the largest pan-cancer registries available for research. This initiative supports transparent clinical data sharing and aims to drive advancements in cancer research and treatment.

Vision for the Future
Dr. George Daneker Jr., Myriad’s president and chief clinical officer of oncology, emphasizes the company’s commitment to advancing oncology care. Myriad aims to expand access to genetic and genomic testing, create equitable solutions, and provide insights that can significantly improve clinical care and patient outcomes.

In summary, Myriad Genetics is set to showcase extensive research and innovation at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, underscoring its role in transforming cancer care through advanced genetic testing and precision medicine.

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