Recently, Admera Health (www.admerahealth.com), unveiled an expansion to its next generation sequencing (NGS) based LiquidGx™ test for solid tumor-targeted therapy selection from a blood sample.
Recently, Admera Health (www.admerahealth.com), unveiled an expansion to its next generation sequencing (NGS) based LiquidGx™ test for solid tumor-targeted therapy selection from a blood sample. This extended version increases the utility of the assay by raising the number of genes to 17 and including detection of copy number variation (CNV) and microsatellite instability (MSI).
For over 20 years it has been known that patients with tumors harboring specific genetic mutations can benefit from targeted therapy. It is also well established that other mutations can cause these same therapies to be ineffective. What is different now, is that a tumor tissue sample is no longer required to detect these mutations for determining the appropriate targeted therapies. Liquid biopsy is a minimally-invasive method for detecting and monitoring of tumor variants. National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines even recommend this alternative to tissue biopsy when tumor material is inaccessible or re-biopsy is not feasible in non-small cell lung cancer.
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are partially degraded DNA fragments found circulating in bodily fluids, notably plasma. Fragmented DNA shed off from tumor cells can also be found in the plasma of cancer patients in the form of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Analysis of ctDNA can be used for targeted therapy selection; however, a challenge of detecting ctDNA molecules is that they are usually found in a large background of wild-type (normal) cfDNA molecules. The fraction of ctDNA to cfDNA found in blood can be less than 1%. Admera Health has developed a proprietary enrichment technology for both NGS and qPCR that allows us to detect ctDNA molecules at a fraction of below 0.1% and 0.01% respectively. The original NGS panel was a 10-gene assay covering single nucleotide variants (SNV), insertions and deletions (indels), and fusions with a limit-of-detection of 0.1% and a turnaround time of three to five days. The 17-gene panel will maintain the previous limit-of-detection and turnaround time for SNVs, indels, and fusions; while, MSI and CNV detection will have a limit-of-detection of 2% and 0.5 extra gene copies respectively. In addition to the NGS panel, qPCR offerings for ALK, BRAF, EGFR, and KRAS are also available with a limit‑of‑detection of 0.01%.
“We view liquid biopsy as a component of solid tumor profiling that is synergistic with other techniques and something that should routinely be included within an oncologist’s workflow. This is especially the case when tissue is unavailable or dangerous to extract. These benefits were outlined in a recent JAMA Oncology paper authored by a group out of UPenn,”stated Guanghui Hu, Ph.D., President, and CEO of Admera Health. Hu continued, “Our belief is even firmer now that LiquidGx™ testing includes MSI stability and can provide drug recommendations that include anti-PD1 therapy. While this is an impressive development, the addition of CNV detection is something that should not be overlooked due to associated targeted drugs.”
Not only does LiquidGx™ have benefits of superior limit-of-detection, but the turnaround time can also be less than three days, allowing for actionable results in hand during an initial oncology consultation. “Due to the popularity of immunotherapy drugs, we are hearing a lot of stories about physicians and other labs rushing to get PD-L1 results using traditional testing techniques for immunotherapy recommendations, but in a lot of these cases treatment decisions are being made before genotyping results come back,” Hu explained, “if a patient has an EGFR or other driver mutation these drugs aren’t going to do them any good and may even make it more difficult to get the desired effect once the patient is on the correct targeted therapy. By thinking of LiquidGx™ as a compliment to solid tumor profiling (using NGS or other techniques) and ordering early in the process, with our rapid turnaround time, this type of situation can be avoided.”
In addition to liquid biopsy, Admera Health’s Oncology Test Portfolio includes NGS panels for solid tumor profiling from tissue (OncoGxSelect™ and OncoGxOne™) and pharmacogenomics for supportive care and chemotherapeutic selection (PGxOnco™).
“Admera’s Oncology Test Portfolio is unique in that we have genomics solutions that span the continuum of cancer patient care with strong capabilities in liquid biopsy, NGS based solid tumor profiling, and pharmacogenomics. Whether it is non-invasive cancer testing, helping to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, or identifying the right clinical trial, Admera is committed to helping physicians improve patient outcomes,” explained Brady Millican, Vice President of Business Development.
About Admera Health
Admera Health is a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited advanced molecular diagnostics company focused on personalized medicine, non-invasive cancer testing, digital health, and providing research use only services. Research and development efforts are dedicated to developing cutting-edge diagnostics that span the continuum of care. Utilizing next generation technology platforms and advanced bioinformatics, Admera Health seeks to redefine disease screening, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and management through its innovative, personalized solutions. It is our mission to deliver transformative, valuable solutions to patients, physicians, and clinical researchers. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of our global community through the direct delivery of personalized, medically actionable results.
Admera Health Contact:
Brady Millican,
VP Business Development
908-222-0533