MolecularMD Joins CML ALLIANCE™ to Provide Standardized qRT-PCR BCR-ABL Patient Monitoring Diagnostics

MolecularMD, a developer and provider of cancer-based molecular diagnostics, today announced its participation as a preferred provider of Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) patient monitoring tests for CML ALLIANCE™. CML ALLIANCE is a program developed by Novartis Oncology to help improve outcomes for patients with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive (Ph+) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

There are an estimated 4600 new cases of CML diagnosed each year in the US and a total of 30,000 patients living with the disease. The survival rates have dramatically increased since the FDA approval of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec^® Novartis), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the BCR-ABL protein. Based on international clinical trials of imatinib (Gleevec), patients who achieve Major Molecular Response as measured by qRT-PCR have the best 5 year prognosis for progression free survival.

Sensitive molecular monitoring is a key component of patient treatment guidelines. MolecularMD specializes in providing highly sensitive, standardized monitoring of the BCR-ABL oncogene expression by qRT-PCR and has exclusive collaborations with leading CML clinical research laboratories to help introduce international standardization of the test.

“MolecularMD is happy to be a part of CML ALLIANCE as a provider of standardized, quantitative BCR-ABL testing. Results provided by our lab will enable patients and their healthcare providers to confidently optimize treatment of CML,” said Brian Druker, MolecularMD’s scientific founder. Dr Druker was the lead laboratory and clinical investigator of imatinb and is currently the Director of the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute.

Physicians who register with CML ALLIANCE will have access to the various support and education components of the program. A web link within the CML ALLIANCE website will direct physicians to the MolecularMD website where they can obtain documentation for sample submission and access support on interpretation of test results.