In an effort to bridge testing gaps and facilitate targeted therapies for EOC patients, Labcorp conducted two seminal studies, illustrating the profound impact of comprehensive genomic profiling on patient outcomes.

Closing Testing Gaps: The Importance of BRCA and HRD Testing in PARP Inhibitor Therapy

One of Labcorp's studies, conducted in collaboration with Illumina, focused on evaluating real-world clinical practices concerning BRCA and Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) testing in 1,093 EOC patients. These tests, when combined, ascertain patients' suitability for poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor therapy, a revolutionary treatment modality for EOC.

Results revealed a disparity in HRD testing rates, with less than half of the patients undergoing this critical evaluation. Importantly, patients with germline or somatic BRCA mutations or HRD tumors exhibited prolonged PARP inhibitor therapy, underscoring the significance of comprehensive testing in treatment decision-making.

Dr. Shakti Ramkissoon, Labcorp's Vice President and Head of Oncology, hailed these findings as a leap forward in ovarian cancer care. "Comprehensive biomarker testing is pivotal in advancing ovarian cancer treatment," remarked Dr. Ramkissoon. "By closing diagnostic gaps through precision testing, we're not just improving patient care but also driving scientific innovation."

FRα Expression in EOC Tumors: Guiding Targeted Therapy Selection

Another study by Labcorp scrutinized Folate-receptor Alpha (FRα) expression in primary versus metastatic EOC tumors, offering insights into targeted therapy selection for platinum-resistant EOC patients. FRα, overexpressed in the majority of EOC cases, serves as a crucial biomarker for treatment with Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV).

The study revealed higher rates of FRα positivity in primary tumor samples compared to metastatic ones, emphasizing the importance of site-specific testing in guiding treatment decisions.

Dr. Ramkissoon emphasized the significance of these findings in refining treatment strategies, stating, "This study underscores the pivotal role of FOLR1 testing in treatment planning and highlights the importance of selecting appropriate tumor sites for optimal treatment guidance."

Labcorp's pioneering studies underscore the transformative potential of biomarker testing in revolutionizing ovarian cancer management, offering hope for improved outcomes in this challenging disease landscape.