Myriad Genetics and National Cancer Center Hospital East in Japan Collaborate on Pan-Cancer MRD Monitoring Clinical Trial, SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3
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Insights
The collaboration between Myriad Genetics and the National Cancer Center Hospital East (NCCHE) in Japan to study the prognostic and predictive value of molecular residual disease (MRD) testing is a significant development in the field of oncology. MRD testing is a crucial tool in the management of cancer, as it allows for the detection of minimal amounts of cancer cells that remain after treatment, which can be indicative of potential relapse. The use of Myriad's Precise MRD test in the SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study aims to validate its efficacy across various cancer types, which could lead to a paradigm shift in personalized cancer treatment.
From a research perspective, the study's focus on multi-omic profiling to develop personalized treatment strategies is noteworthy. Multi-omic profiling involves analyzing various 'omics' data such as genomics, proteomics and metabolomics to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patient's tumor biology. This approach can potentially lead to the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thereby enhancing the precision of cancer treatment. The study's prospective design and inclusion of a large and diverse patient cohort will provide robust clinical evidence, which is crucial for the acceptance and integration of MRD testing into clinical practice.
The SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study's potential impact on clinical oncology cannot be overstated. By monitoring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) over time, oncologists can gain invaluable insights into the efficacy of treatments and the dynamics of tumor evolution. This is particularly important for solid tumors and hematological cancers with low tumor shedding or variant burden, where current MRD tests may not be sensitive enough. The ability to detect ctDNA at very low levels, as claimed by Myriad's Precise MRD test, could enhance early detection of relapse and allow for timely therapeutic interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Furthermore, the study's outcomes could influence future clinical guidelines and protocols for cancer monitoring. If the Precise MRD test proves to be effective across a broad spectrum of cancers, it could become a standard tool in oncology, leading to more tailored and dynamic treatment plans. This would also have implications for healthcare systems, as it could potentially reduce the burden of cancer relapse and associated healthcare costs by enabling more effective monitoring and treatment adjustments.
From a market perspective, Myriad Genetics' involvement in the SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study represents a strategic move to position its Precise MRD test as a versatile and essential tool in the oncology diagnostics market. The success of this study could lead to increased demand for the test, potentially expanding Myriad's market share and driving revenue growth. The study's outcome could also stimulate further research and development within the precision medicine field, attracting investments and partnerships.
Investors and stakeholders should monitor the progress of the study closely, as positive results could have a favorable impact on Myriad's stock performance. However, it is also important to consider the competitive landscape, as other companies may be developing similar technologies. The ability of Myriad to capitalize on the study's findings and effectively commercialize the Precise MRD test will be critical in determining its long-term success in the market.
Myriad’s Precise MRD test will be used to evaluate the broad applicability of MRD testing across many cancer types
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, today announced a research collaboration with the National Cancer Center Hospital East (NCCHE) in Japan to study the prognostic and predictive value of molecular residual disease (MRD) testing. The SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study will use Myriad’s ultra-sensitive MRD test, Precise MRD, to monitor circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) over time in patients diagnosed with a wide array of solid tumor and hematological cancers.
The SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study, led by Dr. Takayuki Yoshino of the NCCHE, will explore how multi-omic profiling can be used to develop more personalized treatment and therapeutic strategies in three study cohorts. Two of the three cohorts, including approximately 1,200 patients across more than 20 cancer types, will undergo MRD monitoring via Precise MRD. The goal of SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 is to generate high-quality, prospective, clinical evidence showing MRD testing can be broadly applied across cancer types and to patients with different disease severity or staging.
“First generation MRD tests have made remarkable progress monitoring disease recurrence and progression in cancer types with high tumor or variant burden. However, the SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study requires an MRD test that is sensitive enough to use for cancers with low tumor shedding or variant burden,” said Dr. Yoshino, Deputy Director of Hospital East, Head, Division for the Promotion of Drug and Diagnostic Development, Chief, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at NCCHE. “We are pleased to partner with Myriad, as its MRD assay is uniquely capable of detecting ctDNA at the lowest levels of detection, a necessary attribute for a pan-cancer study. This study has the potential to revolutionize the scope of WGS-based MRD projects and foster the development of MRD-guided therapeutic strategies for a broad spectrum of cancers.”
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the esteemed NCCHE team on the SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study. Investigators at NCCHE have been at the forefront of MRD research, leading some of the most groundbreaking and influential trials as part of SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN, including CIRCULATE-Japan, which comprises GALAXY, VEGA, and ALTAIR in colorectal cancer patients,” said Dale Muzzey, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Myriad Genetics. “We’ve designed Precise MRD to be highly sensitive for application across all cancer types and look forward to this study demonstrating its utility in cancer care.”
About Myriad’s Precise MRD
Myriad’s Precise MRD is a tumor-informed, whole genome sequencing (WGS) based test that monitors hundreds to thousands of tumor-specific variants, which enables exceptional sensitivity and quantification of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood of patients with cancer. Precise MRD can be used to monitor ctDNA levels throughout a cancer patient’s clinical care, starting immediately after diagnosis and continuing through treatment and surveillance. The Precise MRD test is available for use in research studies pursued jointly by Myriad and academic or pharmaceutical investigators.
About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics is a leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical specialties where genetic insights can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.myriad.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including that Precise MRD is expected to have accurate ctDNA detection across indication and the SCRUM-MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 study will explore how multi-omic profiling can be used to develop more personalized treatment and therapeutic strategies in three cohorts. These “forward-looking statements” are management’s expectations of future events as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. Such factors include those risks described in the company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2023, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Myriad is not under any obligation, and it expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law.
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