The use of liquid biopsies, tests that look for variants in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) shed by tumors into blood plasma, could lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment in many cancers, according to University of Washington researchers. The tests misidentified a noncancer mutation that is particularly common in older people as a mutation used as a biomarker for PARP inhibitors indicated for use in prostate cancer, a study published in JAMA Oncology found, but the problem likely extends to other malignancies.
The controversy over the U.S. FDA’s authority to regulate lab-developed tests (LDTs) took on a new set of considerations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a June 22 memo by HHS General Counsel Robert Charrow pokes holes in the FDA’s argument on several fronts. Among these is the question of whether an LDT can be regulated by the FDA, given that a test is not usually offered for sale across state lines.
LONDON – After a year in the mill, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has put proposals for how it intends to evaluate drugs, devices and diagnostics in the future out for consultation.
Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD) reported good news Thursday, as it saw quarterly revenues of $4.784 billion for its fourth fiscal quarter, an increase of 4.4% over the prior-year period. Of note, the company’s life sciences segment saw worldwide revenues of $1.488 billion, representing an increase of 31.2% over the prior-year period as reported, or 31.4% on a currency-neutral basis.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in diagnostics, including: Deep learning enables real-time prediction of acute kidney injury; Catching kidney injury early in children; Seeing where tau goes wrong.
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