Oxford BioDynamics’ cancer test influences treatment decisions in study

OXFORD - Oxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM:OBD) announced Thursday that its EpiSwitch CiRT blood test influenced immunotherapy treatment decisions in 61% of cases, according to interim results from its FDA-registered PROWES trial published in the medical journal Cancers.

The study evaluated the clinical utility of the Checkpoint inhibitor Response Test (CiRT) in guiding treatment decisions for 205 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Among patients with a "Low Probability of Response" result, nearly half avoided potentially ineffective treatment, while almost three-quarters of those with a "High Probability of Response" had their treatment continued or escalated.

The blood test predicts a cancer patient’s likely response to immune checkpoint inhibitors with 93% sensitivity, 82% specificity and 85% accuracy, according to the company’s press release statement.

Unlike existing tissue-based tests that require biopsies, CiRT provides results based on a patient’s immune system readiness through a blood sample. The study showed CiRT results matched real-world patient outcomes and remained consistent across demographics and treatment settings.

Early data suggests the test may also monitor emerging resistance to immunotherapies, as some patients showed shifts from high to low probability of response that matched disease progression.

The company plans to apply for inclusion in the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical guidelines later this year, which could drive wider adoption of the test.

CiRT is currently available privately in the UK, where it is covered by Bupa, and in the US with a reimbursement code.

The study authors noted that stopping ineffective therapy earlier could provide cost savings, as immunotherapy and supportive care can exceed $850,000 per patient.

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