EDX Medical, based in Cambridge, UK, is launching a new diagnostic tool in the UK designed to identify patients’ risk of developing hereditary cancer. This diagnostic tool performs germline testing, which can determine whether mutations in tumours, particularly those found in prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer, are inherited. Although these mutations are rarer, they can have significant implications for patients and their families.
The pan-cancer test, developed by EDX, will be available later this summer through private healthcare providers and certain National Health Service (NHS) genetic testing centres. This test can achieve 99% sensitivity and identify mutations in 70 genes known to be strongly associated with hereditary cancers. According to Mike Hudson, the CEO of EDX, testing family members of cancer patients should be a crucial component of a National Cancer Prevention and Management Strategy. This test enables doctors to identify important genetic risks shared by patients and their families, allowing for preventative action before the disease onset or making well-informed clinical decisions. This ensures access to modern medicines that offer greater chances of long-term survival if cancer occurs later.
In May 2024, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued new recommendations for germline testing. They suggested that even patients who would not typically be offered germline genetic testing based on personal or family history should be considered for such testing if a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant is identified by tumour testing in a gene.
EDX has also been involved in significant partnerships to advance their diagnostic capabilities. Last year, they partnered with Thermo Fisher for the joint development and potential commercialisation of several clinical grade assays, including cancer diagnostic solutions. In the broader field of genetic testing, collaborations such as the one between Chinese biotech MGI Tech and France’s SeqOne Genomics aim to advance end-to-end solutions for genomic testing.
EDX Medical’s innovative approach to hereditary cancer diagnostics reflects a growing trend in personalised medicine, where understanding genetic risks can lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
The new diagnostic tool by EDX Medical represents a significant step forward in hereditary cancer detection and prevention, highlighting the importance of germline testing in modern healthcare.
EDX Medical Group Plc (AQSE:EDX) is a global specialist in digital clinical diagnostics; developing and supporting high-performance products and services to provide cost-effective prediction of disease risk, inform clinical decision-making, enable personalised healthcare and accelerate the development of new medicines for cancer, neurology, heart disease and infectious diseases.
