Caris Life Sciences announced that its blood‑based Assure assay now includes DPYD reporting, a pharmacogenomic test that identifies inherited variants that reduce dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase activity and increase the risk of severe toxicity from fluoropyrimidine chemotherapies such as capecitabine and 5‑fluorouracil.
The new DPYD component allows clinicians to detect high‑risk patients from a single blood draw, enabling oncologists to tailor colorectal cancer treatment plans before therapy initiation. By integrating pharmacogenomic data with tumor biomarker analysis, Caris’s platform streamlines care and reduces the risk of life‑threatening adverse events associated with fluoropyrimidine drugs.
Caris’s update underscores its commitment to comprehensive precision oncology and positions the Assure assay as a more complete solution for colorectal cancer management. The enhanced assay is expected to increase adoption among oncology practices that prioritize both therapeutic efficacy and patient safety.
The announcement highlights the growing importance of pharmacogenomics in oncology. FDA’s updated safety labeling for capecitabine and 5‑fluorouracil, along with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, now recommend pre‑treatment DPYD testing. Caris’s move addresses the inconsistent screening for DPYD status across care settings and could give the company a competitive edge over rivals such as Foundation Medicine, Inform Diagnostics, Tempus, Cepheid, and Guardant Health.
Caris President David Spetzler said, "In precision oncology, treatment selection is not only about identifying what may work but also understanding factors that may affect how safely a patient can receive therapy." He added, "During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it is important to recognize that DPYD testing can provide clinically meaningful information before treatment begins, helping clinicians make more informed decisions for patients who may be candidates for fluoropyrimidine-based therapy."
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