Quest Diagnostics Introduces First Comprehensive Laboratory Test To Analyze KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF Gene Mutations in Reflex Testi... ( EGFR Pathway Test analyzes in sequent...)

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Quest Diagnostics Introduces First Comprehensive Laboratory Test To Analyze KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF Gene Mutations in Reflex Testing Service

Date:6/1/2009

EGFR Pathway Test analyzes in sequential reflex fashion more mutations potentially inhibiting anti-EGFR therapy response in metastatic colorectal cancer patients

MADISON, N.J., June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading cancer diagnostics company, today launched the EGFR Pathway test (KRAS with reflex to NRAS, BRAF), the first laboratory-developed test from a national commercial reference laboratory for comprehensively identifying, in a single reflex test offering, genetic mutations in the KRAS, NRAS and BRAF genes. The test is designed to aid the identification of the roughly half of all metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who, because of certain mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, are believed to be unresponsive to anti-EGFR cancer therapies for mCRC. While some commercial laboratory tests for predicting anti-EGFR response analyze certain mutations of the KRAS and BRAF genes, such as codons 12 and 13 of KRAS, the Quest Diagnostics test detects mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 of both the KRAS and NRAS genes and mutations in exons 11, 12, and 15 of the BRAF gene, in a sequential reflex manner.

(Note to journalists: For more information on the interplay of genes and pathways, please refer below to "About Cellular Pathways.")

"Our EGFR Pathway test will provide physicians with the most comprehensive data available from a single test offering for identifying RAS and BRAF gene mutations in patients with mCRC who may be considered for anti-EGFR therapy. Given that research suggests these gene mutations may inhibit therapeutic response in many patients, our goal is to give physicians a personalized diagnostic tool that can help th
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Quest Diagnostics Introduces First Comprehensive Laboratory Test To Analyze KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF Gene Mutations in Reflex Testi...( EGFR Pathway Test analyzes in sequent...),Health