The Imegen company, located in the University of Valencia Science Paerk, and the Sant Joan de Déu hospital in Barcelona have launched the first genetic analysis in Spain capable of providing clinical information with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic utility for childhood cancer. "This is a revolutionary development in the area of pediatric oncology, as we can not only confirm the type of tumor and its potential evolution, but also guide the treatment of pediatric patients in a personalized way depending on the specific genetic alterations of the tumor", Ángela Pérez, founder and CEO of Imegen, has emphasized.
With this new genetic analysis, based on massive sequencing technologies, it is possible to identify both mutations and alterations in the number of copies present in the tumor (somatic) as well as in the germ line. In this regard, Angela Perez has explained that "this complete approach allows to characterize cases more quickly and accurately both at the time of diagnosis and relapse, thus facilitating the selection of the most appropriate therapeutic options for each patient".
According to the company, childhood cancer is the leading cause of pediatric death in developed countries. Each year about 1400 new cases of children with cancer are diagnosed in Spain and between 8 and 10% of these patients develop these tumors because they are carriers of a genetic alteration that predisposes them to this rare disease. "This analysis will also provide information on the most relevant alterations in this regard, which will allow genetic counseling and the implementation of early detection measures", they indicate.
At the disposal of the oncologist
"Mass sequencing techniques have been implemented in many laboratories around the world, but one of the challenges is transforming the complex amount of data they generate into information of clinical utility that makes it easier for oncologists to make decisions. This is the distinctive feature of this analysis in which the pediatric oncologist of the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu Carmen de Torres has contributed. That distinguishes it from other similar approaches that can be found in the market", the Valencian laboratory has remarked.
In this line, Ángela Perez has said that "from Imegen we want to support the oncologist in order to treat pediatric cancer in the best way possible. Therefore, in parallel to the development of genetic analysis, we have launched two Genomic Oncology courses available to our doctors to help them to better educate themselves in the area of genomics and together be able to advance in such an important area for society".
9 years dedicated to genetic and genomic analysis
The Imegen laboratory, founded in 2009 at the University of Valencia Science Park by a team of scientists with more than 20 years of experience in management, has established itself as a leader in the field of genetics and genomic.
Currently trained by a team of 60 professionals, it analyzes biological samples sent by national and international hospitals to analyze whether patients present any type of mutation that could be the origin of a genetic disease. For this they use the most advanced DNA sequencing technology and a team of geneticists prepares a report with information of clinical utility that the doctor transfers to the families.
Imegen currently offers 6,000 different types of genetic tests that address all stages of the person's life (prenatal, postnatal and adult), which makes it one of the 10 most extensive genetic test catalogs in the world.