Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that its MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) has received FDA approval as a companion diagnostic test for colorectal cancer, developed in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb. This test aids in identifying mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer patients who are eligible for treatment with Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo (nivolumab) alone or Opdivo in combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab).
Unique Diagnostic Capability
The MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) represents the only FDA-approved companion diagnostic IHC panel to diagnose colorectal cancer patients eligible for treatment with Opdivo alone or in combination with Yervoy. The test is approved for exclusive use with the Agilent Dako Omnis automated staining solution.
The immunohistochemical panel is specifically developed and validated to detect the loss of function of any of the four MMR proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer tissue. These proteins play a crucial role in the mismatch repair pathway, which corrects DNA replication errors to maintain genomic stability.
Scientific Rationale
Dysfunction in key MMR proteins causes MMR deficiency, leading to elevated mutations, tumorigenesis, and neoantigen accumulation. These features make dMMR tumors more responsive to immunotherapy due to enhanced immune recognition, providing the scientific basis for using this diagnostic test to identify patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy treatment.
Clinical Impact
"This approval marks an important step forward in the ongoing effort to improve colorectal cancer care," stated Nina Green, vice-president and general manager of Agilent's Clinical Diagnostics Division. "Our new CDx product offers healthcare providers an additional tool to identify mismatch repair deficiency in patients, complementing existing options and enhancing the ability to tailor immunotherapy treatments."
Green emphasized that by providing more choices, the company aims to support better tumor control and potentially improve progression-free survival, ultimately contributing to patient care and well-being.
Collaborative Development
The development of the MMR IHC Panel pharmDx (Dako Omnis) highlights the collaborative efforts between Agilent and Bristol Myers Squibb in developing and gaining approval for diagnostic assays that aid in selecting patients for specific treatments. This partnership demonstrates the importance of precision medicine approaches in oncology, where diagnostic tools help identify patients most likely to respond to specific therapeutic interventions.
