New Precision Oncology Cancer Test to identify the most effective anti cancer-treatment
Request more information Download BrochurePrecisely match every patient's cancer with the right targeted therapy
Oncofocus by Oncologica Ltd. is the world’s most comprehensive precision oncology test that precisely identifies the right drug for each patient’s cancer thereby increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Oncofocus cancer test works by firstly sequencing the DNA and RNA of a patient’s tumour which has been extracted from the routine histology sample used for diagnosis.
The sequencing of DNA and RNA identifies genetic mutations specific to an individual’s tumour and generates a personalised genetic profile.
Oncofocus is a dynamic test which is updated every three months to incorporate the most up to date genomic information linked to targeted therapies. Oncofocus currently targets 505 genes covering oncogenes, fusion genes, genes susceptible to copy number variation and tumour suppressors.
Actionable genetic variants detected by Oncofocus are currently linked to 764 anti-cancer targeted therapies/therapy combinations.
Health Insurance coverage
Oncofocus is now covered by all leading health insurers. Contact our patient consultants to learn more.
Contact Patient Consultant
What are targeted therapies
Targeted therapies are new drugs that kill cancer cells but do not affect normal cells compared with chemotherapy which kills both cancer cells and normal cells.
Targeted cancer therapies are the cornerstone of personalized medicine, a form of medicine that uses information about a person’s DNA profile to treat cancer.
EVERY PERSON’S CANCER IS UNIQUE
Every person’s tumor is unique due to the different types of cancer DNA mutations acquired during the development of the disease.
A wide range of targeted drugs have been developed (764) against each of these different types of DNA mutation.
Targeted therapy vs chemotherapy
Targeted therapies are much more effective than chemotherapy because they have been designed to specifically hit their target mutations which are present only in cancer cells. This means normal cells are unaffected by the treatment thereby minimising toxic side effects. In addition, most of these drugs are pills that are given orally and therefore don’t require hospital admission.
Chemotherapy on the other hand affects both normal cells and cancer cells. The killing of normal cells results in serious side effects such as hair loss, nausea and vomiting, infections and anaemia.
The majority of chemotherapeutic drugs are given by infusion and therefore require hospital admission.
Who will benefit from the Oncofocus test?
Patients with widespread advanced cancers
Patients who have exhausted treatment options with conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The Oncofocus cancer test can identify a broad range of additional therapeutic options.
Patients with early cancers
Oncofocus cancer test can help identifying optimal treatment options following initial diagnosis to achieve maximum benefit avoiding the side effects and cost of drugs unlikely to be of benefit.
Patients with rare tumours or cancers of unknown origins
Treatment decisions for rare cancer types or cancers of unknown origin are challenging for your oncologist because of a lack of established therapeutic protocols.
The Oncofocus test is ideally suited for the analysis of such cases enabling the precise matching of these tumors to the most appropriate therapy.
Patients with difficult to treat cancers
The Oncofocus test can be used for re-testing to identify new genetic changes acquired following relapse and allow the new mutations to be directly matched to a new set of targeted therapies.
Improve the outcome of cancer treatment
There are 764 targeted anti cancer treatments which are either approved or being tested in clinical trials at present. There are hundreds of different tumour types all with different genetic mutations which all respond differently to these therapies.
Oncologists at present act on limited information to try and match one of these anti-cancer drugs to an individual’s tumour and, given the vast array of different tumour types with very different genetic backgrounds, the probability of getting the correct match represents very low odds, accounting for cancer targeted drugs working in only 2-16% of patients.
Using the Oncofocus cancer test, response rates to the new generation of targeted drugs can increase up to 85%.
Monitor your patient's disease over time
Following treatment by drugs identified by the Oncofocus test it is possible over time that these patients become resistant to treatment.
This is because a proportion of tumour cells undergo further mutations allowing them to escape from the therapeutic effects of the anti-cancer drug.
However the Oncofocus test can then be used for re-testing to identify these new genetic changes and allow new mutations to be directly matched to another set of anti-cancer drugs.
This approach can be compared to the treatment of bacterial disease with antibiotics in which treatment is switched following development of antibiotic resistance.
Why is the Oncofocus test better than existing tests?
Oncologists are frequently confounded by how to act on genetic results to benefit their patients because current genetic tests lack direct linkage with therapy.
Oncofocus is a single test that links the majority of targeted anti-cancer drugs available, including FDA and EMA approved drugs or carrying NCCN and ESMO guideline references to virtually all cancer types.
The test also identifies all drugs currently in clinical trials (Phases I-IV) worldwide.
The Oncofocus test is performed on the routine histology biopsy sample stored at your hospital and can be sent to us in the post. Other tests require specialist shipment and processing using fresh tissue.
Simple, fast and safe
Oncofocus cancer test is performed on the routine histology sample within 15 working days*. Samples can be sent through our free international shipment service. Request a test now
Oncologica laboratories are located just south of Cambridge, UK at the Chesterford Research Park and utilize the most advanced technologies applying a quality management system in compliance with ISO15189 standards.
If you are a patient
The Oncofocus cancer test allows your clinician to accurately identify the best treatment for your cancer and exclude exclude those unlikely to be of benefit.
The main advantages of the Oncofocus test are:
- To identify new treatment options for patients who have exhausted conventional approaches such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- To identify the optimal treatment strategy for the management of your cancer from an early stage
- Avoiding treatment regimes which are ineffective
- Allows identification of new treatment options following relapse
In most cases Oncofocus may be requested by your hospital, your doctor or oncologist. If your doctor is not aware of this new technology you can contact one of our patient consultants who will guide you and will suggest the best option to present Oncofocus to your doctor and get an Oncofocus test in your country.
If you are a clinician
As a clinician, you will have a powerful tool to optimise therapy choices and improve patient outcomes.
The main advantages of the Oncofocus test for your patients are:
- Applicable to all solid tumour types
- To identify new treatment options for patients with advanced metastatic disease who have exhausted conventional therapeutic approaches.
- To identify the optimal treatment strategy early in the management of the cancer patient to achieve maximum benefit
- Performed on the routine histology block
As a clinician you can register and request a test today. If you need more information you can contact Oncologica Support.