QIAGEN showcases latest technologies to advance cancer research at AACR Annual Meeting 2023

At this year's American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Florida, USA, QIAGEN launched its QIAseq Targeted cfDNA Ultra Panels and outlined how they will enable researchers studying cancer and other diseases to be able to turn cell-free DNA (cfDNA) liquid-biopsy samples into libraries ready for next-generation sequencing (NGS) in less than eight hours.

Liquid biopsy centered on cfDNA has become a vital tool in the diagnosis, outcome prognosis and treatment monitoring of cancer and other diseases. Carried by blood and other body fluids, cfDNA eliminates the need for surgery to take tissue samples. But it often carries disease-relevant variants in low concentrations, which means researchers demand extremely sensitive and reliable tools.

The QIAseq Targeted cfDNA Ultra Panels enable the reliable detection of somatic genetic variants in challenging detection scenarios as low as 0.1% variant allele frequency (VAF) by enhanced chemistry, reduced enzymatic error rates, and an optimized bioinformatics pipeline.

The QIAcuity digital PCR system enables researchers to detect and quantify DNA and RNA targets with high precision and sensitivity, allowing for reliable analysis of rare and difficult-to-detect targets for a wide range of applications. The instruments integrate partitioning, thermocycling and imaging into one workflow, promising to cut processing times to only two hours.

QIAGEN will also add new pan-cancer panels to its digital PCR portfolio. These panels offer a cutting-edge solution for the investigation of the most important cancer-related genes and will be available to customers starting in fall 2023. With a focus on hallmark mutations within specific genes, these assays enable researchers to investigate samples in multiplex reactions, allowing for faster and more efficient analysis. The panels are suitable for a range of applications, including biomarker validation, orthogonal validation of next-generation sequencing, resistance monitoring, drug monitoring, and tumor characterization.

Want the latest science news straight to your inbox? Become a SelectScience member for free today>>