Israeli Hospital First in Middle East to Use Revolutionary Cancer Test

Using the unique tumor diagnostic test helps physicians and patients make informed immunotherapy decisions.

By United with Israel Staff

Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem announced that its Molecular Pathology and Diagnostic Tumors department is now using a unique tumor diagnostic test within its laboratories that helps physicians and patients make informed immunotherapy decisions.

Hadassah is a leader in the field of molecular diagnosis of tumors. It is the first center in the Middle East and third outside of the United States to use the specialized test, according to NoCamels.

The test, called FoundationOne-CDx (F1CDx) “analyzes guideline-recommended genes in solid tumors, including companion diagnostic indications with a direct path to therapy,” according to the Foundation Medicine website, producers of the test. It “is the first FDA-approved broad companion diagnostic (CDx) that is clinically and analytically validated for solid tumors.”

By using F1CDx, a test of patient tissue is analyzed for alterations in 324 genes in tumors. Then, physicians are provided with “clinically actionable information” including “appropriate therapies for patients.” It also shows what treatments would meet resistance by the tumors “based on the individual genomic profile of each patient’s cancer.”

F1CDx presently provides a diagnosis of colorectal, breast and ovarian cancers, as well as non-small-cell lung carcinoma and melanoma.

Until now, the test was only available in the United States and independent laboratories in Germany and Switzerland, Dr. Asaf Gertler, clinical laboratory director, said, according to NoCamels.

Hadassah’s laboratory was set up by a team from Foundation Medicine to ensure successful, accurate testing.

Performing the test on-site is not only more cost-effective, but provides results “twice as fast,” Professor Eli Pikarsky, head of the Molecular Pathology and Diagnostic Tumors department at Hadassah explained, according to NoCamels.

“You don’t want to start protocol [for a new treatment] before you have a result,” Pikarsky said. “These patients are basically waiting to see what kind of treatment we can offer them. But we can’t know until we get the results. So we want to get it them as quickly as possible.”

The company’s platform is designed to be “updated regularly as more genes and biomarkers are indicated for use with FDA-approved therapies,” notes the Foundation Medicine website. “Through constant innovation, we can make breakthroughs to help achieve improved outcomes for more individuals living with cancer. That’s why we foster a collaborative culture that motivates us to do our best work and be a partner in every patient’s journey.”

This is a big step towards improving growth in “personalized medicine.”