- Myriad Genetics Inc.,  a leader in molecular diagnostic testing and precision medicine,announced that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved the use of the MyChoice^® Test for prostate cancer patients as a companion diagnostic for Lynparza^® (olaparib). With this approval, clinicians can now order the MyChoice Test to determine homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status for patients with ovarian cancer, and BRCA1/2 status for breast and prostate cancers.

“Expanding the MyChoice test into prostate cancer marks an important milestone for Myriad Genetics in Japan,” said Brian Donnelly, Chief Commercial Officer, Myriad Genetics. “Previously, MyChoice testing was only reimbursed under Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) for breast and ovarian cancer patients, so this new approval broadens access to critical genomic insights that help clinicians make informed treatment decisions for their patients. This also reflects Myriad’s continued focus on adding high value precision medicine tests to its Cancer Care Continuum portfolio.”

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, more than 100,000 men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer annually in Japan, and a portion of those patients will be diagnosed with or later progress to metastatic castration-resistant (mCRP).

“The reimbursement approval of MyChoice for prostate cancer provides a new testing option for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. In addition to the previously available germline BRCA1/2 testing, the inclusion of tumor-based testing is expected to expand the number of patients who may benefit from treatment with PARP inhibitors,” said Dr. Hiroji Uemura, Project Professor, Department of Urological Oncology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine.