ASCO Update: Myriad's Lung Cancer Prognosis Test Shown to Si

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Myriad's Lung Cancer Prognosis Test Shown to Significantly Predict Survival in Early Stage Lung Cancer Patients

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SALT LAKE CITY, June 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MYGN) announced today that a presentation entitled "Use of a Proliferation-Based mRNA Signature to Predict Outcome in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Adenocarcinoma," was presented on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology® (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The study demonstrates that the Company's lung cancer prognosis test significantly predicts cancer-specific death in early stage adenocarcinoma lung cancer patients.

Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, European Institute of Oncology, and Myriad Genetics generated a cell cycle progression (CCP) score from formalin-fixed surgery samples, taken from 381 patients, with stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma. The CCP score was determined to be the most significant predictor of patient outcomes (p=0.007) and significantly additive to clinical variables which included age, stage of disease, gender, smoking status, tumor size and treatment. Additionally, researchers found that the CCP score effectively stratified patient five year survival. Only 8% of patients with a low CCP score succumbed to the disease; however, more than three times as many patients with a high CCP score died from disease.

The clinical need for a lung cancer prognostic test stems from the absence of a molecular diagnostic tool to accurately predict disease aggressiveness for patients diagnosed with stage I or II lung adenocarcinoma. Myriad's goal is to develop a prognostic lung cancer test that supports patient care and aids doctors in the identification of particularly aggressive forms of the disease in an effort to improve patient outcomes.

"Current guidelines lead to a substantial number of patients being under- or over-treated in early stage lung cancer and many patients would benefit from more personalized treatment decisions," commented Dr. Ignacio Wistuba, Jay and Lori Eisenberg Professor, Department of Pathology, at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "The addition of the CCP score to clinical parameters may help identify patients that could benefit from more aggressive therapy, including adjuvant chemotherapy."

About Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a leading molecular diagnostic company dedicated to making a difference in patients' lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of nine molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a focus on improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. With fiscal year 2011 annual revenue of over $400 million and more than 1,000 employees, Myriad is working on strategic directives, including new product introductions, companion diagnostics, and international expansion, to take advantage of significant growth opportunities. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: www.myriad.com.

Myriad, the Myriad logo, BRACAnalysis, Colaris, Colaris AP, Melaris, TheraGuide, Prezeon, OnDose, Panexia and Prolaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. in the United States and foreign countries. MYGN-G