New Study Shows Veracyte’s Decipher Prostate Test is Prognostic for Prostate Cancer Progression Among Patients Undergoing Active Surveillance

Rhea-AI Summary

Veracyte, Inc. announces new study results showing that the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier is prognostic for identifying prostate cancer progression among patients undergoing Active Surveillance. The test provides treatment-outcome data from a prospective trial, aiding in the selection of optimal candidates for active surveillance.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The recent study on Veracyte's Decipher Prostate Test is particularly significant for patients undergoing Active Surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer. With AS, the challenge lies in accurately pinpointing which patients are more likely to experience disease progression. The traditional clinical indicators fall short in this predictive capacity, making this genomic classifier a potential game-changer. It's essential to recognize the distinction this test holds – being backed by treatment-outcome data from a rigorous phase 2 trial. The implications are profound not only for patient care but also for healthcare economics. If we can reduce unnecessary interventions without compromising patient outcomes, it could lead to cost savings for both the healthcare system and patients. Additionally, the ability of the Decipher GRID tool to delve deeper into the genomic data could pave the way for more personalized treatment regimens, potentially augmenting the effectiveness of drugs like enzalutamide.

Biotech Financial Analyst

Veracyte's announcement underscores its strategic emphasis on evidence generation, an approach that aligns with the increasing demand for personalized medicine. The evidence status of the Decipher Prostate test being elevated in the NCCN Guidelines may translate to a broader acceptance and potential increase in insurance coverage, possibly driving up test utilization rates. The data suggesting that the Decipher test can predict disease progression could position Veracyte favorably within the oncology diagnostics market. As investors, we should monitor the adoption rates of the Decipher test closely following this study. The potential for increased sales could positively impact Veracyte's revenue streams and strengthen its market position in the long run. However, the market's response will hinge on the continued demonstration of clinical utility, the navigation of reimbursement challenges and how effectively Veracyte can capitalize on this evidence to secure a larger share of the prostate cancer diagnostics market.

Oncology Market Research Analyst

The impact of the Decipher Prostate test's predictive capabilities extends beyond individual patient outcomes. It informs a broader trend in oncology towards precision medicine. With the potential to guide AS decisions more accurately, the test can become a critical component in the treatment algorithm for early-stage prostate cancer. This will likely influence the competitive landscape of prostate cancer diagnostics, potentially altering the dynamics between Veracyte and its competitors. The study also highlights the utility of the Decipher GRID as a research tool, which could lead to further innovations in the field. As the industry moves towards more data-driven treatment decisions, tools like the Decipher GRID that allow for detailed genomic analysis will be invaluable. It's important for stakeholders to consider the ripple effect of such advancements, not only on patient management but also on the industry's research and development focus.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT), a leading cancer diagnostics company, today announced that a new study published in JCO Precision Oncology shows that, among patients undergoing Active Surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer, the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier is prognostic for identifying those whose disease is likely to progress. The findings make the Decipher test the only gene expression test to have treatment-outcome data from a prospective, multi-center, phase 2, randomized trial in the AS population.

Patients whose prostate cancer is found at an early stage and who are clinically low or intermediate risk are commonly offered AS, meaning they are closely monitored rather than undergo intervention such as surgery or radiation. Identifying the optimal candidates for active surveillance, however, is not always easy, as clinical indicators are limited in their ability to identify those who may be at a higher risk of future grade reclassification or cancer progression.

“The findings from the ENACT trial analysis demonstrate that the Decipher Prostate test is a predictor of disease progression on AS,” said Elai Davicioni, Ph.D., Veracyte’s medical director for Urology. “These data also further reinforce Veracyte’s commitment to evidence generation that supports the Decipher Prostate test’s ‘Level 1B’ evidence status – the highest among commercially available gene expression tests – in the most recent NCCN^® Guidelines* for prostate cancer.”

The new findings are from the biomarker analysis study of the ENACT clinical trial (NCT02799745) that aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of enzalutamide monotherapy plus AS vs AS alone in patients with low-risk or intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The study included 121 AS patients from the randomized trial who were monitored and followed for 3 years. In the AS alone or control arm, among patients with available tumor samples (n=65), the Decipher Prostate test predicted increased rates of disease progression after adjusting for baseline clinical risk factors (MVA HR [95% CI] per 10% increase in score: 1.17 [1.01 to 1.35]; P = 0.04).

The findings also demonstrated the use of Decipher GRID (Genomic Resource for Intelligent Discovery) as a research tool to help advance scientific understanding of prostate cancer. Specifically, the researchers evaluated whole-transcriptome data derived from Decipher Prostate testing of each sample in the study to assess the Decipher Prostate test and other, research-based biomarkers that could potentially indicate which tumors would be more likely to respond to treatment with enzalutamide, an androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitor. They observed that the subset of patients with higher Decipher scores, as well as luminal and high AR activity subtypes, had greater responses to enzalutamide.

“Our Decipher GRID tool enables researchers to analyze whole-transcriptome data for prostate cancer samples to gain further insights about the disease, which can ultimately further improve patient care,” said Dr. Davicioni. “This study is a strong example of the Veracyte Diagnostics Platform in action, whereby we use a comprehensive, whole-transcriptome approach to develop a test, which fuels our ability to demonstrate the test’s performance and utility, and also enables new discovery efforts.”

About the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier

The Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier is a 22-gene test, developed using RNA whole-transcriptome analysis and machine learning, that helps inform treatment decisions for patients with prostate cancer. The test is performed on biopsy or surgically resected samples and provides an accurate risk of developing metastasis with standard treatment. Armed with this information, the physician can better personalize their patients’ care and may recommend less-intensive options for those at lower risk or earlier, more-intensive treatment for those at higher risk of metastasis. The Decipher Prostate test has been validated in more than 75 studies involving more than 100,000 patients.

About the Decipher GRID

The Decipher GRID database includes more than 200,000 whole-transcriptome profiles from patients with urologic cancers and is used by Veracyte and its partners to contribute to continued research and help advance understanding of prostate and other urologic cancers. GRID-derived information is available on a Research Use Only basis.

About Veracyte

Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global diagnostics company whose vision is to transform cancer care for patients all over the world. We empower clinicians with the high-value insights they need to guide and assure patients at pivotal moments in the race to diagnose and treat cancer. Our Veracyte Diagnostics Platform delivers high-performing cancer tests that are fueled by broad genomic and clinical data, deep bioinformatic and AI capabilities, and a powerful evidence-generation engine, which ultimately drives durable reimbursement and guideline inclusion for our tests, along with new insights to support continued innovation and pipeline development. For more information, please visit www.veracyte.com and follow the company on X (formerly Twitter) at @veracyte.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to our statements related to the potential NCCN Guidelines’ impact on physicians’ better use of the Decipher prostate test and to our expectations that the Decipher Prostate test helps physicians better personalize their patients’ care in recommending less intensive versus more intensive treatment options. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “appears,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “enable,” “positioned,” “offers,” “designed” and similar references to future periods. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from our predictions, and include, but are not limited to the potential impact Decipher GRID can have on scientific advancements in prostate cancer and, in turn, patients. Additional factors that may impact these forward-looking statements can be found under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2024. Copies of these documents, when available, may be found in the Investors section of our website at https://investor.veracyte.com. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, we specifically disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, we specifically disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Veracyte, the Veracyte logo, and Decipher are registered trademarks of Veracyte, Inc., and its subsidiaries in the U.S. and selected countries.

* National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240422349293/en/

Investors:

Shayla Gorman

investors@veracyte.com

619-393-1545

Media:

Tracy Morris

media@veracyte.com

650-380-4413

Source: Veracyte, Inc.

FAQ

What does the new study show about Veracyte's Decipher Prostate Test?

The new study shows that the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier is prognostic for identifying prostate cancer progression among patients undergoing Active Surveillance.

What makes the Decipher test unique according to the study?

The Decipher test is the only gene expression test with treatment-outcome data from a prospective, multi-center, phase 2, randomized trial in the Active Surveillance population.

What did the ENACT trial analysis demonstrate about the Decipher Prostate test?

The ENACT trial analysis demonstrated that the Decipher Prostate test is a predictor of disease progression on Active Surveillance.

How does the Decipher Prostate test contribute to evidence generation according to the study?

The study reinforces Veracyte's commitment to evidence generation, supporting the Decipher Prostate test's 'Level 1B' evidence status in the NCCN Guidelines for prostate cancer.

What role did Decipher GRID play in the study?

Decipher GRID was used as a research tool to analyze whole-transcriptome data and assess biomarkers, indicating tumor response to treatment with enzalutamide.