Genetic Technologies Limited (ASX:GTG, NASDAQ:GENE, OTC:GNTLF) has revealed that a consortium of esteemed national and international research and charity organizations has been awarded a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Genomics Health Futures Mission Grant.
The grant aims to finance the CASSOWARY Trial, a pivotal randomised controlled study focused on the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of a multi-cancer polygenic risk score in general practice.
GTG stands as the National Research Partner for the trial, which will be spearheaded by Professor Jon Emery. The initiative underlines the company's commitment to advancing genomic healthcare solutions and its position at the forefront of multi-cancer research.
GTG’s CEO Simon Morriss noted, “This is an important step forward for preventive precision medicine. The results from the CASSOWARY Trial have the ability to support the clinical utility of geneType multi-Test and even more importantly provide compelling evidence for its’ inclusion into National Guidelines and standard of care. The results from this study will be a major leap forward for geneType.”
Redefining cancer risk assessment
The CASSOWARY Trial is poised to redefine the approach to cancer risk assessment and the standard of care in general practice.
This landmark study aligns with the five-year objectives outlined in the Australian Cancer Plan, specifically targeting the use of genomics for risk-stratified cancer screening. Results could potentially rewrite national guidelines, enhancing risk stratification for breast, colorectal, prostate, and melanoma — four of Australia's most prevalent cancers.
With the aim to enlist nearly 600 participants, the study will draw from eight general practices throughout Victoria. Genetic Technologies Ltd (GTG), as the exclusive industry partner, will be allocated funding for the provision of test kits and subsequent sample analysis.
The project's full title, The CASSOWARY (CAncer genomic riSk ScOres in primARY Care) Trial: a randomised controlled trial of the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of a multi-cancer polygenic risk score in general practice, denotes its collaborative, multi-disciplinary nature.
Renowned experts across a range of fields such as clinical genetics, health economics, biostatistics and cancer policy are involved. Partner institutions include GTG, University of Melbourne, Queen Mary University of London, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and the Daffodil Centre.
The trial will gather a specific cohort to generate robust evidence on the clinical and financial efficacy of utilising polygenic risk scores, like the geneType multi-Test, to personalise cancer screening and potential treatments in general practice settings.
Creating risk assessment frameworks
Professor Jon Emery, a distinguished name in the field of genomics in Australian general practice, takes the helm as the lead investigator of the CASSOWARY Trial. Emery brings a wealth of expertise to the project, having contributed to national and international guidelines on screening and cancer risk assessment.
He said, “We look forward to extending our work in the space of polygenic risk score implementation in general practice. Over the years, our team has created a framework for risk-assessment implementation in clinical practice, and with each subsequent study we are building our evidence to support a structured, real-world implementation strategy.”
This multi-year utility trial will examine the adoption of four geneType multi-Test integrated polygenic risk scores: breast, colorectal, prostate, and melanoma. The trial will evaluate both patient and provider behaviour while also gauging the economic repercussions of the observed behaviour.
GTG’s director of Scientific Affairs Erika Spaeth, a co-investigator of the study, said, “We are proud of our academic partnerships and honoured to be a part of the growing body of evidence showing the utility of polygenic risk in clinical care. We look forward to the implementation evidence outcomes that will result from this utility study.”
With its strong history of research partnerships with academic institutions, including the University of Melbourne, GTG is committed to collaborative initiatives that support the evolution of predictive population healthcare.