Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Sept. 2, 2021) – A newly published study involving hundreds of Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) patients demonstrates significant progress in the amount of tumor tissue required for comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP).
Strata Oncology, Inc., a precision oncology company advancing molecular indications for cancer therapies, announced the publication of the study in which more than double the number of tumor tissue samples met minimum tumor surface area (TSA) for genomic profiling. StrataNGS requires the lowest amount of tumor tissue of any CGP test currently available.
This new study published in JCO Precision Oncology presents an analysis of 32,048 consecutive tumor tissue samples received for StrataNGS testing as part of the Strata Trial. The study demonstrates that the multiplex PCR-CGP StrataNGS testing, coupled with an inclusive exception testing policy, can increase patient access to CGP and significantly expand the impact of treatment.
LVHN had 493 patients participate in the trial.
“Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is proud to be a partner with Strata Oncology to increase patient access to tissue-based genomic profiling,” said Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute and the principal investigator for the study at LVHN. “These results will help us connect more patients to precision cancer care.”
Nair said the Strata testing is used most for lung and colon cancer as well as for melanoma.
About the study
LVHN was among 28 U.S. health systems that participated in the clinical trial.
Investigators characterized the attributes of more than 30,000 real-world tumor samples.
The study found:
- Of the 31,165 tested specimens, 10.7% had low tumor content and 58.4% were small.
- Only 41.6% of samples (12,957 of 31,165) had TSA greater than or equal to 25mm2, the minimum TSA requirement for several leading commercial hybrid capture-based CGP tests. The results were similar for the testing at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute.
- 94% of samples (29,302 of 31,165) were successfully reported by StrataNGS. At LVHN, more than 92% of tissue samples were successfully reported.
“Tissue availability is one of the biggest obstacles to widespread use of CGP in
clinical practice. For example, approximately 30% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer have insufficient tissue for biomarker analysis,” said Scott Tomlins, MD, PhD, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Strata Oncology. “Despite advances in liquid biopsy testing, tissue remains the gold standard for tumor profiling, providing more comprehensive and reliable molecular insights. Through this study, we were able to show that StrataNGS, with its industry-leading low tumor tissue requirements, is uniquely positioned to help usher in a future where every patient with advanced cancer is molecularly profiled and receives their best possible treatment outcome.”
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes nine hospital campuses, three in Allentown, one in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton and two in Pottsville, Pa.; Coordinated Health, which includes two hospital campuses, nearly two dozen multispecialty locations including ambulatory surgery centers and orthopedic injury centers in northeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey; 27 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute and Lehigh Valley
Institute for Surgical Excellence physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No.1 hospital for eight straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top six hospitals for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, including No. 5 in 2021-22, the only hospital in the region ranked in the top five. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on Facebook , Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About StrataNGS
StrataNGS is a comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test that features the lowest tumor tissue requirements in the industry (≥2mm2 surface area). The 429-gene assay is performed on co-isolated RNA and DNA. Single-/multi-nucleotide variants (SNVs), short insertions and deletions (indels), copy number alterations (CNAs; amplifications and deep deletions), microsatellite instability (MSI) status, gene fusions, and tumor mutation burden (TMB) are assessed simultaneously.
About Strata Oncology
Strata Oncology, Inc. is a precision oncology company dedicated to delivering the best possible treatment for each patient with cancer. The company combines molecular profiling, real-world data, and a large-scale clinical trial platform to identify and deliver optimal treatments for patients with cancer. For more information visit strataoncology.com.
PR#65-21