Abaxis launches on-site cancer treatment fitness test

California-based Abaxis is introducing a test that enables oncologists and hematologists to determine the fitness of cancer patients for chemotherapy while the patient is on site.

The Piccolo Basic Metabolic Panel Plus is the first point-of-care test that generates accurate results to clinicians in minutes. It saves sending any tests to an outside laboratory, resulting in more effective diagnosis and treatment.

Clint Severson, chairman and ceo of the medical products company, said: 'The test panel was developed specifically on direct feedback from oncology practices seeking a more specific treatment assessment tool. We can now give our oncology customers complete diagnostic capabilities to monitor their patient's health immediately prior to treatment.'

The new Basic Metabolic Panel Plus includes calcium, chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, total carbon dioxide and urea nitrogen, plus the addition of magnesium and lactate dehydrogenase.