FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and PORTLAND, Ore., June 2, 2011
/PRNewswire/ — Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:
MHS) and MolecularMD Corp. today announce the launch of a
personalized medicine program for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
patients. Through this program, Medco will offer patients
diagnosed with CML a molecular test known as qRT-PCR (quantitative
real-time polymerase chain reaction) BCR-ABL to monitor the
disease.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100609/MEDCOLOGO)
The current standard treatment for CML patients is tyrosine
kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, which has demonstrated broad and
robust efficacy as a targeted cancer treatment. Three TKIs
have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
first-line therapy including imatinib (Gleevec®), dasatinib
(Sprycel®) and nilotinib (Tasigna®).
The TKIs directly inhibit the activity of a genetically-altered
BCR-ABL protein to suppress the cancer’s growth. qRT-PCR
BCR-ABL molecular diagnostic testing is used by physicians to
measure molecular response and indicate potential resistance to TKI
therapy. Documenting BCR-ABL levels prior to initiation of
therapy and then monitoring levels during treatment allows patients
and their doctors to determine how well the medicine is working for
them, and make adjustments as warranted.
“MolecularMD’s test has been employed extensively in late phase
pivotal clinical trials of second generation TKIs to help
demonstrate improved patient response,” said Dr. Jane Barlow, vice
president, Clinical Innovation, of Medco. “Using this
molecular test regularly to determine if a patient is exhibiting
the appropriate response to the drug can help ensure better
clinical outcomes for the patient and reduce overall healthcare
costs for the health plan.”
MolecularMD’s qRT-PCR BCR-ABL
‘/>”/>
