Prostate-Cancer Test May Reduce Repeat Biopsies: Study

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-02/prostate-cancer-test-may-reduce-repeat-biopsies-study.html

A new gene-based test for prostate cancer may reduce the need to repeat painful biopsies that can also cause serious infections, according to a study to be published in the Journal of Urology.

The ConfirmMDx test, sold by MDxHealth SA (MDXH) and based on technology developed at Johns Hopkins University, examined samples from biopsies and confirmed whether a patient was clear of cancer with 90 percent accuracy, according to the study of 498 men who underwent a second biopsy within 30 months. The findings will appear in the November issue of the journal, according to the Liege, Belgium-based company.

The results’ publication should help attract the attention of physicians and drive both revenue and reimbursement from health insurers, said Rudi Marien, managing director of Biovest NV, which holds 15 percent of MDxHealth shares. Sales began in May and are so far in line with company expectations, Chief Executive Officer Jan Groen said in an interview. At least a quarter of negative biopsy results are false negatives, prompting patients to repeat the sometimes risky procedure.

“It’s not a small thing to subject a patient to a second biopsy,” said Eric Wallen, a professor of urology at the University of North Carolina who began using the test three months ago. With a negative result from ConfirmMDx, “I can reassure patients that I’ve got a test here that tells me I can be quite confident that there isn’t a cancer hiding that I missed.”