30 September 2024
HemeSight®, the first-in-Japan comprehensive genomic profiling assay for blood cancer, recently received its first regulatory approval.
'We are very pleased with the approval of HemeSight in Japan. As Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s technology partner for genomic sequencing, we are proud to support Otsuka and healthcare organisations in providing comprehensive genomic profiling for patients with hematological malignancies," said Gretchen Weightman, Illumina’s Senior Vice President of the Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa region.
In recent years, diagnosis and treatment guidelines for hematopoietic tumors proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations recommend medical treatment based on genomic information, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment without using genome information.
In Japan, the Japanese Society of Hematology has issued guidelines for genomic testing of hematopoietic tumors*4, which provide recommendations for gene panel testing for each disease and stage, including leukemia, malignant lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. HemeSight is designed to comprehensively test for the genetic abnormalities of hematopoietic tumors listed in the guidelines, and is expected to enable diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognosis prediction based on genetic abnormalities.
“Comprehensive Genomic Profiling is a game-changer in the fight against cancer, offering unprecedented insights into the genetic drivers of the disease. By enabling personalized medicine and individualized treatment plans, CGP holds the promise of significantly improving patient outcomes. Addressing accessibility and investing in education and infrastructure are crucial to making CGP a standard part of cancer care in Japan, providing a new hope for patients and their families,” Ms Weightman said.
To learn more, please read Otsuka’s press release https://www.otsuka.co.jp/company/newsreleases/2024/20240920_1.html
*4 Japanese Society of Hematology Guidelines for Genomic Testing of Hematopoietic Tumors, 2021 Partially Revised Edition http://www.jshem.or.jp/genomgl/home.html