Myriad Genetics, Salt Lake City, has introduced in Europe its Prolaris® test, a 46-gene prognostic test that offers urologists a more accurate way to determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. The test had already been available in the United States.

Myriad copySupported by a growing body of clinical evidence, the molecular diagnostic test will be featured in a poster presentation by David Berman, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University, at the upcoming European Association of Urology meeting.

“The Prolaris test is an accurate method of identifying which prostate cancers are aggressive, requiring definitive treatment, and which prostate cancers are likely to recur after treatment,” says Gary King, vice president, international operations, Myriad Genetics. “This information is critical for urologists and their patients who are making important treatment decisions prior to and after prostate cancer surgery. Today, most prostate cancer patients undergo aggressive therapy such as prostatectomy and radiation which can have severe short- and long-term side effects. Prolaris can help determine which patients may only need active surveillance, avoiding unnecessary treatment.”

The majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Europe are treated aggressively, although it is estimated that 80% have an indolent form of the disease. Aggressive treatment regimens carry significant risks of side effects and have not been shown to provide additional benefit to patients with indolent forms of prostate cancer, the company says.

Prolaris has been shown to be highly effective in predicting which men have indolent prostate cancer and may be candidates for active surveillance and which men have aggressive prostate cancer and may benefit from definitive treatment such as prostatectomy or radiation.

[Source: Myriad Genetics]

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