Interpace Diagnostics to Present Data on Thyroid, Pancreatic, and Lung Assays
Company Products Highlighted at USCAP International Meeting
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDXG) (“Interpace” or “the Company”), a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics company that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests and pathology services for improved patient diagnosis and management, announced today the acceptance of 5 abstracts to be presented as posters and podium presentations at the upcoming United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) meeting being held March 17-23rd, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The posters reflect a review of data from the Company’s extensive experience in molecular testing, including experience with over 5,000 analyses of indeterminate thyroid nodules using its combined mutational (ThyGenX™) and microRNA classifier (ThyraMIR™) testing format, 30,000 tests of Pancreatic cyst fluid and solid lesions using PancraGen® as well as results from its recently launched product for lung cancer, RespriDx®.
The accepted abstracts are entitled “The significance and predictive value of cytologic atypia in aspirated pancreatic cyst fluid”; “Cell-free DNA analysis of acellular pancreatic cyst fluid”; “Molecular diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma”; “Tumor molecular profile as a complement to conventional histology in the diagnosis of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma”; and “Comparative mutational profiling differentiates metastasis vs. new primary cancers and predicts survival.”
The United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) has been the most prestigious provider of continuing medical education (CME) for pathologists globally for more than a century, superbly integrating CME into the process for improving professional practice and patient outcomes by reducing the gap between evidence-based practices and adoption of those practices into clinical care. The organization boasts a membership of 10,000 Pathologists and other practitioners committed to this goal.
According to Jack Stover, President & CEO of Interpace, “The acceptance of these posters and presentations by such a prestigious organization as USCAP, reflects the strength of our underlying data and our ongoing commitment to the further validation of the clinical utility of our tests.”
About Thyroid Nodules, ThyGenX and ThyraMIR testing
According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 15% to 30% of the 525,000 thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed on an annual basis in the U.S. are indeterminate for malignancy based on standard cytological evaluation, and thus are candidates for ThyGenX and ThyraMIR.
ThyGenX and ThyraMIR reflex testing yields high predictive value in determining the presence and absence of cancer in thyroid nodules. The combination of both tests can improve risk stratification and surgical decision-making when standard cytopathology does not provide a clear diagnosis for the presence of cancer.
ThyGenX utilizes state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify more than 100 genetic alterations associated with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinomas, the two most common forms of thyroid cancer. ThyraMIR is the first microRNA gene expression classifier. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that bind to messenger RNA and regulate expression of genes involved in human cancers, including every subtype of thyroid cancer. ThyraMIR measures the expression of 10 microRNAs. Both ThyGenX and ThyraMIR are covered by both Medicare and Commercial insurers.
About PancraGEN
PancraGEN® is a molecular test that stratifies the risk of progression to pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cysts and solid masses by incorporating endoscopic ultrasound images, cytology, first-line chemistry testing like CEA and Amylase, and molecular markers into one of four risk categories ranging from Benign to Aggressive. PancraGEN® is 90% accurate according to clinical studies, enabling effective risk stratification of patients. Pancreatic cancer is often difficult to diagnose in early stages and typically spreads rapidly with signs and symptoms appearing when the cancer is significantly advanced. Because of this, and that complete surgical removal of the pancreas is not possible, pancreatic cancer is considered a leading cause of cancer deaths.
About RespriDx
RespriDx® is a molecular test that differentiates between new primary lung tumors and metastasis by identifying the unique molecular fingerprint of a tumor using a series of tumor markers and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Discerning whether a lung neoplasm is the result of a newly formed tumor or metastasis is useful in determining what course of action physicians should take, e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, etc.
About Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.
Interpace is a fully integrated commercial and bioinformatics company that provides clinically useful molecular diagnostic tests and pathology services for evaluating risk of cancer by leveraging the latest technology in personalized medicine for improved patient diagnosis and management. The Company currently has four commercialized molecular tests and one test in a clinical evaluation process (CEP); PancraGEN® for the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer from pancreatic cysts; ThyGenX®, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a next generation sequencing assay; ThyraMIR®, for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer from thyroid nodules utilizing a proprietary gene expression assay; and RespriDX™ that differentiates lung cancer of primary vs. metastatic origin. BarreGEN® for Barrett's Esophagus, is currently being “soft launched” with key opinion leaders as we continue to gather data on this assay that will assist us in seeking favorable reimbursement as well as important clinical information. Barrett's Esophagus is a rapidly growing diagnosis that affects over three million people in the US and over time can progress to esophageal cancer. The Company’s data base includes data from over 45,000 patients who have been tested using the Company’s current products, including over 15,000 molecular tests for thyroid nodules. Interpace has been designated as one of the top 20 companies for providing bioinformatics solutions. Interpace’s mission is to provide personalized medicine through molecular diagnostics, innovation and data to advance patient care based on rigorous science. For more information, please visit Interpace’s website at www.interpacediagnostics.com
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to the Company's future financial and operating performance, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to adequately finance the business, the market's acceptance of its molecular diagnostic tests, its ability to retain or secure reimbursement, its ability to secure additional business and generate higher profit margins through sales of its molecular diagnostic tests, in-licensing or other means, projections of future revenues, growth, gross profit and anticipated internal rate of return on investments and its ability to maintain its NASDAQ listing. Additionally, all forward-looking statements are subject to the “Risk Factors” detailed from time to time in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings.
Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
CONTACTS:
Interpace Diagnostics Group, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Paul Kuntz – Redchip
Released February 12, 2018