This is a companion article to the feature, “Multiplexing at the Molecular Level.” 

Breast biopsy cells, as enlarged on a computer display for the MammaPrint and BluePrint molecular diagnostic tests by Agendia.

Breast biopsy cells, as enlarged on a computer display for the MammaPrint and BluePrint molecular diagnostic tests by Agendia.

At the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), held last December in San Antonio, Texas, basic researchers and clinicians shared state-of-the art information on breast cancer research. In keeping with the important role of diagnostics for managing patient care, a number of presentations highlighted current achievements involving molecular panel tests for breast cancer.

New research on the utility of the MammaPrint and BluePrint genomic tests from Agendia, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Irvine, Calif, was presented in 10 scientific posters. Both tests are molecular panels, with MammaPrint considering 70 genes and BluePrint, 80 genes.

For the MammaPrint assay by Agendia, genomic testing analyzes 70 genes in approximately 3,500 individual tumor cells removed from a breast cancer patient, to determine whether the patient is at high or low risk for breast cancer recurrence. [

For the MammaPrint assay by Agendia, genomic testing analyzes 70 genes in approximately 3,500 individual tumor cells removed from a breast cancer patient, to determine whether the patient is at high or low risk for breast cancer recurrence.

Among Agendia’s presentations, four of the posters provided new findings from the prospective neo-adjuvant registry trial (NBRST), which encompasses results from more than 1,000 patients. The trial has produced results that consistently underscore the unique ability of functional molecular subtyping, compared to standard clinicopathologic classification alone, to better predict those patients who will respond to chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

Also at SABCS, Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Salt Lake City, highlighted three scientific presentations related to its myRisk hereditary cancer test. Data included results from studies that advance the understanding of hereditary cancer testing using multigene panels to evaluate patients at risk for or diagnosed with breast cancer.

Myriad’s research collaborators presented data demonstrating that multigene panel testing with the myRisk hereditary cancer test provides clinically significant results that drive appropriate changes in patient care. According to Johnathan Lancaster, MD, PhD, chief medical officer for Myriad Genetic Laboratories, the new data include positive perceptions of patients after receiving a multigene test result.

As Myriad expands its testing to broader gene panels and shares scientific outcomes from its research collaborations, says Lancaster, important new questions are being asked that will expand the company’s thinking about exactly which patients should be tested for hereditary cancer.