New Research Involving Circulogene’s Liquid Biopsy Further Validates Test’s Cancer Mutation Detection Capabilities

Newly published research involving the Circulogene droplet-volume liquid biopsy test has demonstrated for the first time that circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing can detect the presence of a new tumor mass earlier than current, standard-of-care imaging methods.

Additionally, research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2016 Annual Meeting demonstrated that Circulogene’s propriety DNA enrichment methodology could detect more cancer mutations than DNA extracted from solid tumor

“These studies further demonstrate the potential and viability of non-invasive, droplet-volume liquid biopsies for accurate, affordable and personalized cancer tracking and treatment decision making using just microliters of blood,” said Circulogene Chief Scientific Officer Chen-Hsiung Yeh, Ph.D.

Chen coauthored the study with Hope Health Center Medical Director and oncologist Nader Javadi, M.D., “Blood-Drop Liquid Biopsy for Monitoring Mutation Load and Therapeutic Responses” published in the June 2016 issue of the Cancer Therapy & Oncology International Journal. The case report focused on plasma ctDNA as a versatile biomarker, enabling accurate monitoring of tumor burden and treatment response.

Study observations included:

• Mutation load measured by blood-drop ctDNA sequencing correlated well with PET/CT, CA biomarkers and clinical outcome in response to therapy
• Blood-drop ctDNA testing could detect new tumor mass earlier than PET/CT
• Blood-drop liquid biopsy possessed longitudinal and real-time monitoring capability
• Blood-drop liquid biopsy testing could be a surrogate for accurate, affordable and accessible personalized testing

The authors concluded that mutation detection of ctDNA in drops of blood is a powerful monitoring tool able to provide accurate and earlier assessment of tumor behavior, burden and patient responses following treatment, representing significant benefits over conventional protein biomarkers and imaging technology.

In the ASCO 2016 poster presentation “Circulating cell-free DNA: The future of personalized medicine in ovarian cancer management,” authors reported that plasma ctDNA detected more mutations than DNA extracted from solid tumor.