Cambridge, UK: 10th February 2015. 14M Genomics (“14MG”) and the Haematological Malignancy Research Network (“HMRN”) announced today a collaboration aimed at improving diagnostic and clinical care pathways for patients with blood and lymphatic cancers. The project will map the link between patterns of genomic variation and clinical outcomes for patients with haematological malignancies. Once completed, 14MG plans to use the reference database to better inform the prognosis and treatment options for newly diagnosed cancer patients.
14MG is a clinical genomic diagnostics business partnered with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute cancer genome project, founded in 2014 by Sir Michael Stratton, Dr Peter Campbell and Dr Ultan McDermott and financed by Syncona LLP. The Company employs state-of-the-art sequencing and analytical tools, coupled with an in-depth understanding of cancer biology, to reveal associations between tumour genomics and the clinical path of an individual patient.
In collaboration with the NHS, HMRN was established at the University of York UK in 2004 to compile and analyse clinical data from patients with blood, bone marrow and lymph node cancers for medical research purposes. HMRN, along with the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service, (“HMDS”), St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK, has assembled over 20,000 patient case histories and corresponding tumour samples. Genomic analysis of tumour tissue samples from these patients, conducted by 14MG, will be used to facilitate a better understanding of the role of cancer genes in the biology and progression of disease. In the future, this genomic information, together with clinical data, will be used as a reference resource to guide physicians and patients to select the most appropriate treatments.
Andrew Sandham, Executive Chairman of 14MG, said
“Our partnership with HMRN provides a unique opportunity to correlate the genetic drivers of cancer with patient outcomes and therapeutic responses. These datasets will underpin the development of reference tools to inform the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment decisions in haematological cancers. Going forward, we plan to expand this knowledge resource through further clinical genomic studies investigating new targeted treatments that are designed using knowledge of genetic variation, in partnership with pharmaceutical companies and academic research centres.”
Eve Roman, Professor of Epidemiology and Leader of HMRN, commented
“HMRN has already provided important insights, providing real-world generalisable data on patient outcomes to inform contemporary clinical practice and research. For patients with haematological cancers, the collaboration with 14MG will take our understanding to the next level, by unlocking the predictive potential of cancer genomics.”
Cathy Burton, Consultant Haematologist and Head of HMDS, added
“HMDS has a proven track record in the provision of accurate diagnosis and stratification for patients with haematological malignancy. New sequencing technologies, such as those employed by 14MG, offer a real opportunity to significantly refine and improve this process, towards an ultimate goal of patient-orientated precision medicine.”
Further information:
14M Genomics
Andrew Sandham +44 (0) 1223 499975
JW Communications
Julia Wilson +44 (0) 7818 430877
University of York Press Office
David Garner +44 (0) 1904 322153
About 14M Genomics
14M Genomics aims to become a European leader in the provision of clinical genomics services and clinical decision support tools, which will inform the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. The company employs state-of-the-art sequencing and analytical tools, coupled with an in-depth understanding of cancer biology, to reveal associations between tumour genomics and the clinical path of the individual patient. 14MG aims to work together with the oncology community, academic institutions and pharmaceutical partners to improve the lives of cancer patients.
www.14mg.co.uk
About the Haematological Malignancy Research Network
HMRN is a collaboration between researchers in the Epidemiology & Statistics Group (ECSG) at the University of York, a unified Clinical Network operating across 14 hospitals, and an integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS). With nearly 4 million people, representing 6% of the UK’s population, the socio-demographic composition of HMRN’s catchment population mirrors that of the UK as a whole, all diagnoses (>2,200 a year) are made by specialists at HMDS, and clinical practice adheres to national guidelines.
www.hmrn.org
About the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service
HMDS is a laboratory at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, specialising in the diagnosis of haematological malignancies which include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The laboratory provides a comprehensive diagnostic service to the former Yorkshire Cancer Network and the Humber and Yorkshire Coast Cancer Network, as well as receiving referrals from across the UK. HMDS also acts as a diagnostic reference centre for many national and international clinical trials, is at the forefront of applying new diagnostic techniques for the benefit of patients, and is the national model for the provision of complex diagnostic services.
http://www.hmds.info/Home.aspx
