A new collaboration plans to provide genomic profiling and information for patients that have been unsuccessful on repeated therapy for the group of cancers that include leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic diseases.

Led by PathGroup of Brentwood, Tenn, one of the largest private providers of pathology services in the United States, the new offering is based on a collaboration with software systems provider GenoSpace, of Cambridge, Mass, and business information service provider Thomson Reuters, headquartered in New York City. The partners expect that the new service will contribute to the management of more than a half million patient cases per year.

The SmartGenomics Heme Profile includes next-generation DNA sequencing of 77 clinically actionable genes mutated in hematolymphoid cancers, and is complemented by array-based comparative genomic hybridization for whole-genome level identification of chromosomal copy-number changes and loss of heterozygosity. Results will provide the treating oncologist with prognostic, predictive, and therapeutic information, as well as available clinical trial options.

Prevalence estimates from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Cancer Statistics Review indicate that there are approximately one million individuals in the country who are living with a diagnosis of Hodgkin disease, leukemia, multiple myeloma, or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in addition to myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic diseases.1 As many as half of these cases are ultimately refractory to treatment. Furthermore, many of these malignancies are increasing in incidence and pose a significant healthcare burden.

Davis

Ben Davis, MD

“When PathGroup committed to providing genomic profiling to community oncologists and researchers, we understood early in the development process that independent interrogation of cancers originating in the bone marrow, blood, and lymphatic system would be an imperative complement to any exploration of solid tumors,” said Ben Davis, MD, chairman, president, and CEO of PathGroup. “As was the case when we released SmartGenomics for solid tumors, we will continue to rely on the exceptional data aggregation and reporting that GenoSpace and Thomson Reuters afford PathGroup in modeling a best-in-class precision oncology offering.”

Quackenbush

John Quackenbush, PhD

GenoSpace has developed software systems for securely storing genomic and health data, and providing it in formats specific to its diverse user communities. “The GenoSpace team has been honored to work with PathGroup and is impressed with their approach to developing an integrated personalized medicine offering,” said John Quackenbush, PhD, CEO of GenoSpace. “We are pleased to see PathGroup expand its use of the GenoSpace FullView platform to integrate and interpret complex genomic, clinical, and demographic information to benefit patients with hematologic malignancies.”

“Thomson Reuters is committed to collaborating with innovative organizations like PathGroup and GenoSpace to deliver valuable, new solutions for life science clinicians,” said Joseph Donahue, senior vice president for Thomson Reuters Life Sciences. “The latest phase of our work with these partners, in providing patient-specific genomic intelligence for stratifying cancers, is rooted in the high quality, curated content in Cortellis, and brings us closer to finding more-precise treatments and therapies for oncology patients, regardless of their tumor type or disease.”

For more information, visit PathGroup.

1. N Howlader, AM Noone, M Krapcho, et al., eds., SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2010 (Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, 2013); available from http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2010.