Multiplicom Expands its Gene Panels for Breast and Ovarian Cancers

Multiplicom N.V. has announced the release of two novel kits: the BRCA Hereditary Cancer MASTR™ Plus kit and the BRCA Tumor MASTR™ Plus kit, confirming Multiplicom’s leadership position for screening hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.

The BRCA Hereditary Cancer MASTR™ kit detects germline variants in 26 genes associated with hereditary cancers and the BRCA Tumor MASTR™ Plus is used for detection of variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in tumor biopsy material.

Multiplicom’s CE-IVD labelled BRCA MASTR Dx test for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, available since September 2012, has become the reference test for the majority of molecular genetics centres in Europe for screening of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. There is growing evidence that in addition to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, germline mutations in additional genes - including TP53, CDH1, PTEN and STK11 - carry an increased cancer risk.

Multiplicom’s BRCA Hereditary Cancer MASTR™ Plus assay offers a comprehensive 26 genes panel for complete germline mutation analysis, including duplications and deletions, to determine the risk for breast, ovarian and other hereditary cancers.

With the advent of new treatment options in ovarian cancer using PARP-inhibitors, testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in tumor biopsy material - including formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue - has become mandatory. Multiplicom’s new BRCA Tumor MASTR Plus kit has been specially designed to enable the molecular pathology laboratories to perform this type of analysis.

“These two new assays enable our broad lab customer base to keep track of the expanding clinical requirements in hereditary cancers, increasing their screening potential and offering better care to patients. Pathology labs can quickly enter in this field with a proven, reliable, and high quality technology” says Dirk Pollet, CEO of Multiplicom.

At launch, the BRCA Hereditary Cancer MASTR™ Plus kit and the BRCA Tumor MASTR™ Plus kit will be available for Research Use Only, however clinical validation studies are initiated to obtain CE-IVD marking.

Multiplicom presented the supportive study data during its Satellite Symposium at the renowned European Human Genetics Conference in Glasgow, June 6 -9.