Bangalore, May 16, 2007: India-based Dabur OncQuest has introduced CML Quest (IRMA), an innovative tool for confirmation of drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Dabur OncQuest claims that CML Quest (IRMA) is the first-of-its-kind test that is available globally. It was developed after a sequence of research in the Dabur OncQuest in-house laboratory. This test is available only at the centers of Dabur OncQuest pan-India and Nepal.

 

Dabur OncQuest reports that clinicians have already accepted this test and are recruiting CML patients from all over the country to confirm drug resistance. This test helps clinicians to make critical decision on therapeutic front. Once the BCR/abl Quantification indicates no response to Imatinib mesylate then patients can be quickly examined by CML Quest (IRMA) and switched to higher molecules that are now available in India. This innovation will not only save the patient’s precious time but also prevent them from incurring unnecessary expenditure on drugs that may not control disease progression.

 

Mr Aditya Burman, General Manager, Dabur Pharma said, “OncQuest has always concentrated on providing the latest and most pioneering technologies for Oncology testing in India. We have hitherto set benchmarks for Cancer diagnostics in India and are now setting global benchmarks with this unique test. We are delighted to develop CML Quest (IRMA) within our laboratory, which would benefit the end consumer largely and fill a gap in diagnosis and prognosis of CML worldwide. This product was developed keeping in mind the enormous cost and time involved in undergoing numerous treatments. With the roll out of CML Quest (IRMA) OncQuest lives up to its mission of introducing scientifically advanced cost effective molecular diagnostic algorithm.”

 

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia a type of cancer is attributed to change in genetic make up of an individual that forms a chromosome called Philadelphia chromosome OR BCR/abl hybrid gene, formation of that triggers the disease CML. All therapies for CML are directed towards controlling the genetic expression of BCR/abl. This test detects such mutations in the specific region of BCR/abl gene where drug binds and controls gene activity.

 

CML Quest IRMA is exactly targeted to detect such mutations that enable clinician to classify patients as: resistant to the targeted drug Imatinib Mesylate; necessity for administration of higher dosage of Imatinib; necessity to administer combination therapy with Imatinib and Interferon; to analyze if a patient may be given a higher generation molecule Dasatinib or Nilotinib.

 

Amongst other benefits, the test evaluates all major domains of the drug resistant gene i.e. the locations on gene where drug binds and imparts resistance of varying degrees based on binding sites. The conclusive inferences are drawn based on the binding regions: if there is a mutation in the catalytic domain at position 315 of the gene it completely renders patient as drug resistance. If the mutations are present in other domain, it is a different clinical situation for the patients and therapeutic choices are made based on clinical picture.