A Bengaluru-based laboratory, part of the LuNGS Alliance, has introduced free Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) biomarker testing for lung cancer patients in India. This groundbreaking initiative, launched on Tuesday, aims to make advanced genomic profiling more accessible.
About LuNGS Alliance and Its Partners
As reported by theweek, the LuNGS Alliance, an initiative by Mumbai-based Cancer Research and Statistic Foundation (CRSF), is supported by leading pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Roche. 4baseCare, a Bengaluru-based laboratory, serves as the lab partner for this project.
Cutting-Edge Testing with TARGT First Solid
The TARGT First Solid test, developed by 4baseCare, analyzes 72 commonly mutated genes to identify actionable biomarkers. These insights enable personalized treatment plans tailored to a patient’s genomic profile, according to a press release issued by the company.
Advancing Precision Medicine for Better Outcomes
Hitesh Goswami, CEO and Co-Founder of 4baseCare, emphasized the impact of this initiative. He stated, “This effort brings us closer to democratizing precision medicine and making a real difference in patients’ lives.”
The state-of-the-art test detects mutations that align with therapies approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network). This empowers oncologists to provide tailored, more effective treatments, significantly enhancing patient outcomes.
Eliminating Financial Barriers to Advanced Cancer Care
Dr. Kumar Prabhash from CRSF highlighted the impact of zero-cost biomarker testing. The LuNGS Alliance ensures financial constraints do not block patient access to advanced cancer treatments.
Addressing India’s Lung Cancer Crisis
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health estimates that lung cancer accounts for 72,510 new cases and 66,279 deaths annually in India. The high mortality rate underscores the urgent need for personalized treatment approaches over traditional one-size-fits-all methods. Biomarker testing plays a crucial role in meeting this challenge by offering targeted therapies based on a patient’s unique genetic mutations.
This initiative is a major step toward accessible precision oncology. It bridges the gap between advanced cancer care and patient affordability.