NCCN Recommends Opko’s 4Kscore for Prostate Cancer Early Detection

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has endorsed Opko Health’s 4Kscore in its 2015 Guidelines for Prostate Cancer Early Detection.

The NCCN panel designated the 4Kscore blood test an indication for use prior to a first prostate biopsy or after a negative biopsy, as a way to determine an individual’s risk for high-grade, aggressive prostate cancer, the Miami, Fla., devicemaker reported Friday.

The panel also discussed the need to minimize immediate over-treatment by accurately understanding the biology of the detected cancer. By identifying and using selective treatments of aggressive cancers, patient morbidity and mortality levels should decrease.

The 4Kscore test has been studied on more than 22,000 patients, with results published in 12 peer-reviewed scientific journals, the company says. — Jason Scott