Response Genetics to Offer FDA-Approved ALK Test for metastatic NSCLC

Response Genetics Inc.

today announced the addition of new anaplastic lymphoma kinase (

) testing capabilities. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based technology – which complements the company's current PCR-based EML4-ALK test – Response Genetics can better detect gene variants in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who may be candidates for XALKORI® (crizotinib) treatment. Approximately 3 to 5 percent of NSCLC tumors have a rearrangement of the ALK gene, which can lead to impaired programmed cell death and abnormal cell growth. Using the new ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit, Response Genetics can detect rearrangements of the ALK gene on the 2p23 chromosome in tumors. The ALK Break Apart FISH Probe Kit is the only available diagnostic assay clinically validated to predict response to the targeted therapy XALKORI®.