NeoGenomics Announces Participation in NCI-MATCH Clinical Trial
FT. MYERS, Fla., Sept. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEO), a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services, announced today that it is participating as a designated laboratory in the NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH or EAY131) precision medicine cancer treatment clinical trial. In NCI-MATCH, patients are assigned to receive treatment based on gene changes found in their tumors. The trial is being co-led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN).
The goal of NCI-MATCH is to determine the effectiveness of treating patients based on specific tumor gene changes, independent of cancer type. Designated gene sequencing laboratories such as NeoGenomics identify potentially eligible patients being treated at clinical sites participating in the NCI-MATCH trial, through genomic testing. Such testing is performed at the request of the physician as part of a patient’s ongoing cancer care. Tumor gene testing by a designated lab is the only pathway for patients to enroll into the trial.
NeoGenomics was selected for participation in NCI-MATCH based on peer review of the validation, reliability and accuracy of its NeoTYPE Discovery Panel.
“We are pleased to have been selected by NCI and ECOG-ACRIN as a participating lab for this very important clinical trial,” said Douglas M. VanOort, Chairman and CEO of NeoGenomics. “As a leading provider of molecular diagnostics, NeoGenomics is committed to developing and deploying cutting edge technology to remain at the forefront of precision medicine.”
The NeoTYPE Discovery Panel evaluates 320 cancer-related genes in solid tumors, hematologic malignancies and advanced sarcomas. The NCI-MATCH trial is exploring treatments for some, but not all, of these gene alterations. NeoGenomics will proactively look for tumor gene abnormalities being studied in NCI-MATCH. If found, NeoGenomics will reach out and notify the ordering physician from one of the clinical sites participating in the trial that their patient may potentially be a candidate for the trial. Further evaluation will be necessary.
“Tumor profiling and genomic testing are becoming common in daily practice for oncologists to help guide clinical care for cancer patients,” said NCI-MATCH study co-chair James V. Tricoli, Ph.D., Chief, Diagnostic Biomarkers and Technology Branch, Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis at the NCI. “We require qualifying laboratories to proactively identify potentially eligible patients for the NCI-MATCH trial.”
NCI-MATCH (EAY131 or NCT02465060) is a phase 2 precision medicine trial that seeks to determine the effectiveness of treatment that is directed by genomic profiling in patients with solid tumors, lymphomas, or myelomas that have progressed following standard treatments expected to prolong survival, or for rare cancer types for which there is no standard treatment. Such discoveries could be eligible to move on to larger, more definitive trials. With nearly 40 treatment arms addressing a wide range of tumor types and targeted treatments, NCI-MATCH is the largest precision medicine cancer trial to date.
“NCI-MATCH is a discovery trial whose very nature—identifying and exploring knowledge gaps in precision oncology, and advancing new hypotheses—means studying small subsets of patients,” said ECOG-ACRIN study chair Keith T. Flaherty, MD, director of Clinical Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “We are qualifying additional laboratories so we can cast a wider net for patients with the biomarkers of interest.”
If a patient has a test from NeoGenomics and is not being treated at one of the sites participating in the trial, the patient or their oncologist can contact the company to request a review of their test. If the test review shows that the patient is potentially eligible for NCI-MATCH, the oncologist can refer them to one of the participating trial sites.
To learn more about NCI-MATCH, including nearly 1,100 clinical trial sites across the country, visit www.ecog-acrin.org/nci-match-eay131.
About NeoGenomics, Inc.
NeoGenomics, Inc. specializes in cancer genetics testing and information services. The Company provides one of the most comprehensive oncology-focused testing menus in the world for physicians to help them diagnose and treat cancer. The Company’s Pharma Services division serves pharmaceutical clients in clinical trials and drug development.
Headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, NeoGenomics operates CLIA certified laboratories in Aliso Viejo and Fresno, California; Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida; Houston, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee and Rolle, Switzerland. NeoGenomics serves the needs of pathologists, oncologists, academic centers, hospital systems, pharmaceutical firms, integrated service delivery networks, and managed care organizations throughout the United States. For additional information about NeoGenomics, visit https://neogenomics.com/nci-match.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the information set forth in the “Full-Year 2018 Financial Outlook”. These forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as the result of the Company’s ability to continue gaining new customers, offer new types of tests, integrate its acquisition of the Clarient business, and otherwise implement its business plan, as well as additional factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2018. As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's periodic filings with the SEC. In addition, it is the Company’s practice to make information about the Company available by posting copies of its Company Overview Presentation from time to time on the Investor Relations section of its website at http://ir.neogenomics.com/.
Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s estimates only as of the date such statements are made (unless another date is indicated) and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s estimates as of any subsequent date. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if its estimates change.
For further information, please contact:
NeoGenomics, Inc.
William Bonello
Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, Director Investor Relations
(239)690-4238 (w) (239)284-4314 (m)
bill.bonello@neogenomics.com
Released September 24, 2018
