26 September, 2019
The best liquid biopsy test for patients with advanced cancer arrives at barnaclínic+
From this September, barnaclínic+ Medical Oncology is providing its patients with the best liquid biopsy test currently available for advanced cancer, Guardant-360. Thanks to the agreement between the Medical Oncology and Pathology departments of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and the company Guardant Health, the Clínic will be the first centre in Europe to routinely use one of the most advanced liquid biopsy tests on the market.
WHAT IS GUARDANT-360?
Guardant-360 is a liquid biopsy test that consists of analysing a blood sample in order to evaluate an integral panel of 74 genes. By using next-generation sequencing techniques, alterations such as mutations, copies, microsatellite instability and fusion genes are identified with high sensitivity. All of this in a large number of solid tumours and even hereditary cancer.
Liquid biopsy is a new non-invasive diagnostic test that provides the same information as conventional biopsy, minimising risks and complications.
Guardant-360 is one of the most advanced liquid biopsy tests available. It is being used in some of the world’s leading centres, including 28 of the largest oncology centres of the North American National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
ADVANTAGES OF LIQUID BIOPSY
As explained by Dr Javier Garcia-Corbacho from the barnaclínic+ Medical Oncology department: “The advantage of using liquid biopsy is that the sample is easier to obtain than with conventional biopsy. This means that the risk of complications is minimised as it is a minimally invasive procedure”. For Dr Aleix Prat, also an oncologist from barnaclínic+, head of the Hospital Clínic Medical Oncology department and head of the IDIBAPS Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumours Group: “In order to offer the best possible treatment to patients with cancer, it is key to make a complete and accurate molecular diagnosis as provided by Guardant-360. Liquid biopsy has enormous potential in oncology and this is just the beginning. Its implementation in the Hospital Clínic Group will allow for more personalised medicine”.
“To offer the best possible treatment to patients with cancer, it is key to make a complete and accurate molecular diagnosis as provided by the Guardant-360 test”
Dr Aleix Prat
GUARDANT-360, THE LIQUID BIOPSY AT BARNACLÍNIC+
With the Guardant-360 liquid biopsy test, barnaclínic+ is offering its patients a non-invasive diagnostic test for any type of advanced cancer. Guardant-360 will be offered at the oncologist’s discretion.
After taking a blood sample, our oncologist will have the results in fewer than 10 working days. The results will enable us to confirm or rule out the presence of tumour cells in the blood. In addition, with the results of the liquid biopsy, the treatment of a known cancer may be personalised and adapted.