Group calls for consistent use of genetic cancer terms

By The Science Advisory Board staff writers

July 9, 2020 -- A consortium of cancer patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders has recommended uniform use of common terms for biomarker and germline genetic testing to better educate the public and improve access.

In a white paper, the Consistent Testing Terminology Working Group noted that consistent use of consistent language will significantly improve patient awareness and understanding of potentially lifesaving testing options for new cancer diagnoses and progression or recurrences. Recommendations were developed across hematological and solid tumors and include the following:

  • Biomarker tests -- identify characteristics, targetable findings, or other test results originating from malignant tissue or blood.
  • Genetic testing for an inherited mutation and genetic testing for inherited cancer risk -- identify germline mutations.

The consortium, which includes 41 patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, and testing laboratories, was convened by the Lungevity Foundation, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit.

Cancer Research UK, Abcam partner on cancer antibodies
Abcam will create protein-based reagents for targets identified by Cancer UK-funded researchers. Antibodies that result from the partnership will be used...
Intravacc, CimCure partner on cancer, COVID-19 vaccines
Intravacc has entered a strategic partnership with CimCure for in-licensing of CimCure's iBoost technology for cancer immunotherapy vaccines and a COVID-19...
Biocare Medical, Bethyl Laboratories partner for antibody development
Biocare Medical has formed a strategic partnership with Bethyl Laboratories to develop targeted antibodies for cancer research.
FDA debuts website for patient-reported cancer outcomes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unveiled Project Patient Voice, a new pilot program for communicating patient-reported outcomes from cancer...
Researchers discuss progress toward personalized cancer vaccines
Highly targeted and adaptable platforms allow researchers to develop cancer vaccines for a multitude of different cancer types and even create personalized...

Copyright © 2020 scienceboard.net


Conferences
Connect
Science Advisory Board on LinkedIn
Science Advisory Board on Facebook
Science Advisory Board on Twitter