Intermountain Precision Genomics gets certified for Florida cancer patients

Dixie Regional Medical Center, River Road Campus, St. George, Utah, March 25, 2016 | Photo by St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — Intermountain Precision Genomics has announced that its genomics core laboratory, located in southwest Utah, is now certified to accept tissue samples from cancer patients in Florida.

Certification in Florida marks the 49th state certification for the Precision Genomics Core Laboratory, leaving only New York as the last state pending approval.

Intermountain Precision Genomics for Cancer is a service of Intermountain Healthcare offering genetic sequencing of solid tumors, through the ICG100 ™ test. This in-depth sequencing identifies cancer-causing mutations that may occur in a person’s DNA.

“We are extending the life and quality of life for stage four cancer patients throughout the nation,” said Jason Gillman, the program’s director. “Our test identifies more actionable mutations than any other competing test, because we focus on the known cancer-causing genes. We detect mutations at 99 percent and our accuracy of identifying false positives or negatives is 100 percent.”

One of the unique services the company provides is a results review by a board of renowned physicians and scientists. This molecular tumor board discusses the information discovered through sequencing and offers drug recommendations. Precision Genomics may also assist with drug procurement when requested.

“Typically the medications prescribed are oral,” said Gillman. “These targeted drugs are often well tolerated – much more so than infusion drugs (or chemotherapy). Patients feel better and research shows they are not going to the emergency room as frequently.”

For example, a patient from Cedar City, Stephen Weber went from being a wheelchair-bound hospice patient – to being able to walk, return to work, and see his daughter go on her first date. He lived another 16 months on a targeted drug identified through genomic testing.

“What this genomic testing allows,” Gillman said, “is for patients to live on their own terms with improved quality of life, to be active, and to remain the person that they want to be for significantly longer than projected with traditional treatment.”

Currently, the CLIA and CAP certified genomics lab and ICG100™ test is averaging less than 14 days turnaround time from the time the sample is received in the laboratory. For more information about ICG100™ testing for late stage cancer, please visit: precisioncancer.org, join the dialog on Facebook (Intermountain Precision Genomics) or follow @precisioncancer on Twitter.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

 

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