Labcorp is adding to its suite of tests designed to detect cancer recurrence much earlier than traditional imaging.
The line includes the company’s Plasma Detect ID, a whole exome sequence-guided, personalized panel for patients with stage 1 through 3 breast cancer or stage 1-3A non-small cell lung cancer, the company said in a Jan. 13 press release.
Also included in the tests is the company’s now nationally available Plasma Detect Genome, a whole-genome MRD test for stage 3 colon cancer.
Even with all the gains made in treating cancer, recurrence rates remain a concern. About 35% of stage 3 colon cancer patients experience recurrence after treatment, along with 10% to 40% of patients with stage 1-3 breast cancer and 10% to 55% of patients with stage 1-3 non-small cell lung cancer, the company said.
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The ability to monitor a patient’s cancer recurrence risk prior to a relapse allows for more time to develop new treatment plans.
“For patients who have completed cancer treatment with curative intent, ongoing monitoring is essential to understand their risk of recurrence,” Shakti Ramkissoon, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, medical lead for oncology at Labcorp, said in a statement. “By expanding the Labcorp Plasma Detect portfolio, we’re giving clinicians advanced tools to track molecular residual disease and detect recurrence risk earlier, supporting more personalized and proactive care, while increasing patient access to non-invasive testing options.”
Labcorp’s diagnostic division was the powerhouse behind the company’s third-quarter sales. In October, the company reported overall sales for the period jumped 8.6% to $3.56 billion with diagnostics rising 8.5% to $2.77 billion for the quarter.
Last week, the company added Visby Medical’s newly approved, fully at-home PCR test for sexually transmitted infections to its lineup of direct-to-consumer women’s health offerings. The over-the-counter STI test is offered on Labcorp’s OnDemand website and its women’s health app subsidiary Ovia Health.
