Genomic Health says gene ID test may aid colon cancer prognosis

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., June 5 - Genomic Health, Inc. announced positive results of a new study that identified genes associated with prognosis in patients with stage 2 and 3 colon cancer treated with surgery.

Researchers analyzed RNA from 270 colon cancers among patients enrolled in studies previously conducted between 1977 and 1984, including 128 patients with stage 2 disease and 142 patients with stage 3 disease.

Of the 757 cancer-related and reference genes assessed, 142 genes exhibited an association with recurrence-free interval, according to a news release.

After controlling for routinely assessed clinical variables, 78 of these genes retained independent significance.

Genomic Health said current diagnostic methods may limit clinicians' abilities to assess prognosis for patients with colon cancer who undergo surgery, making it difficult to determine who would benefit most from adjuvant chemotherapy.

This lack of clarity may lead to the over-treatment of some patients and the under-treatment of others, the company said.

Researchers conducting this study believe a validated assay that could quantify the risk in such patients could help better individualize therapy.

Genomic Health is a life science company located in Redwood City, Calif.

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