RedPath Integrated Pathology, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostics, is pleased to announce that it sponsored a scientific lecture, “Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Pancreatic Cysts: What a Gastroenterologist Should Know,” in New York City at the 37th Annual New York Course, sponsored by the New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (NYSGE), the largest regional GI endoscopy society in the United States.
Mohammad Al-Haddad, MD, MSc, FASGE, from the Indiana University School of Medicine, made the presentation on Friday, December 21, 2013. Al-Haddad, the lead investigator for the National Pancreatic Cyst Registry, discussed the challenges faced when trying to diagnose the malignant potential of pancreatic cysts using current first-line methods and how integrated molecular pathology can accurately risk-stratify pancreatic cyst patients.
RedPath President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis M. Smith, Jr., MD said, “We are very excited to have had the opportunity to be a part of such an important event. Dr. Al-Haddad is at the forefront of gastroenterology, and we are honored to be associated with such a distinguished physician.”
Al-Haddad presented key findings from the Registry — a prospectively planned analysis of outcomes-based data obtained from retrospective review of records involving 10 high-volume academic and community medical centers. The results from 492 patient outcomes showed that integrated molecular pathology correctly identifies those patients at very low risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Patients with low risk integrated molecular pathology diagnoses had a 97% probability of follow up without malignancy. This allows low risk patients to be statistically differentiated from those with much higher risk of malignancy. Patients with a higher risk diagnosis have a 31-fold increased risk of cancer and those diagnosed as aggressive have a 76-fold increased risk of cancer.
In addition, Al-Haddad noted that the Registry results found that:
- Most cysts larger than 3cm were benign (76%);
- 81% of cysts with elevated CEA (≥192 ng/ML) were benign;
- Most cysts with a mural nodule/solid component were benign (63%);
- Atypical cytology was associated with malignancy in only 21%;
- Most cysts with a positive K-ras point mutation were benign (84%).
“The results of the National Pancreatic Cyst Registry demonstrate how significant integrated molecular pathology is for risk stratifying pancreatic cyst patients and will undoubtedly play an increasingly valuable role in patient management,” Dr. Smith stated.
The presentation closed with a positive question and answer panel that was moderated by Adam J. Goodman, MD, from Bellevue Hospital/NYU Langone Medical Center, and also included Tamas Gonda, MD, from New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
About The National Pancreatic Cyst Registry
The National Pancreatic Cyst Registry is a prospective study of integrated molecular pathology’s (PathFinderTG®, RedPath Integrated Pathology, Inc.) ability to predict the malignant potential of pancreatic cysts. Leading academic medical centers and community-based hospitals participated. RedPath provided sponsorship in part.
The goals of the study were to evaluate the performance characteristics and clinical utility of integrated molecular pathology and determine the predictive value of both traditional first-line tests and integrated molecular pathology. For further information, visit www.npcnregistry.com.
About RedPath Integrated Pathology
RedPath Integrated Pathology, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based molecular diagnostics laboratory focused on providing novel solutions for clinicians. RedPath’s patented PathFinderTG® platform produces mutational profiles to help physicians resolve complex diagnostic dilemmas in patients who are at risk of cancer. RedPath performs all clinical testing and R&D in its state-of-the-art, CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory.
The PathFinderTG platform is supported by more than 20 years of scientific and clinical research, and studies using it have been published in more than 200 peer-reviewed journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine. Based on the strong clinical data supporting this platform, RedPath has received positive coverage decisions from Medicare and private payers. For more information about RedPath Integrated Pathology visit www.redpathip.com or contact Andrew Mignatti at 412-224-6100.
