Epoch/Specialty launch leukaemia test:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The first product to emerge from the partnership between molecular diagnostics company Epoch Biosciences (Bothell, Washington) and reference laboratory Specialty Laboratories (see Clinica No 910, p 13) is now commercially available. The BCR/ABL UltraQuant by MGB PCR test incorporates Epoch's proprietary Minor Groove Binder technology, and is used to identify residual leukaemia cells after radiation treatment and chemotherapy, and for monitoring drug therapy over time. The companies claim that the test is up to 3,000 times as sensitive as traditional bcr/abl PCR tests, which improves the physician's ability to detect early signs of and relapse.