Japan-based Chugai Pharmaceutical has launched FoundationOne Liquid CDx Cancer Genomic Profile as a liquid biopsy-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test for solid tumours, following the product’s listing on the national health insurance (NHI) reimbursement price list on August 1, 2021. In addition, SRL, the clinical laboratory testing company has started providing testing services for the product. 

FoundationOne Liquid CDx Cancer Genomic Profile was approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on March 22, 2021, for use as a companion diagnostic (CDx) for certain approved targeted therapies in Japan, making it the first MHLW-approved blood-based test with both CDx and solid tumour CGP indications.

“The test provides meaningful information that can help inform treatment for patients with advanced or recurrent cancer, which is especially valuable if they are not eligible for tissue-based CGP testing,” said Dr Osamu Okuda, President and CEO, Chugai. 

Developed by Foundation Medicine based in Cambridge, USA, FoundationOne Liquid CDx Cancer Genomic Profile is a blood-based diagnostic test that uses next-generation sequencing.

It identifies genomic alterations in 324 cancer-related genes for cancer patients with solid tumours through the detection of blood circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). FoundationOne Liquid CDx Cancer Genomic Profile provides an integrated test report informing alterations matched to MHLW-approved targeted therapies.