scholarly journals Use of Biomarkers in Individualization of Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (7.5) ◽  
pp. 989-991
Author(s):  
Jennifer J.D. Morrissette

Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as massively parallel sequencing (MPS), offers broad detection of genetic alterations that, in approximately one-third of patients with cancer, are “actionable,” meaning that they can be targeted by available therapeutics or the detection of the alteration can lead to a change in therapy. NGS is useful in the diagnosis of patients, determining their prognosis, appropriate treatment selection, and clinical trial enrollment. Many testing panels are available, each with different abilities to detect various mutation types. Clinicians not only have to decide which test to use, but which specimen to test, and when and how often to test. Aside from unique mutations, immunotherapy markers have become important for the use of checkpoint inhibitors, and their detection and interpretation can also be challenging. Efforts are underway to simplify and validate these assays. Meanwhile, clinicians should become educated about the benefit of, means of, and interpretation of genomic testing patients across the disease course.

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2928
Author(s):  
Katia Nones ◽  
Ann-Marie Patch

Next generation sequencing (NGS) describes the technical revolution that enabled massively parallel sequencing of fragmented nucleic acids, thus making possible our current genomic understanding of cancers [...]


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3046-3046
Author(s):  
Alberto Pavan ◽  
Elisabetta Zulato ◽  
Lorenzo Calvetti ◽  
Alessandra Ferro ◽  
Giorgia Nardo ◽  
...  

3046 Background: ICIs revolutionized aNSCLC treatment. The next challenge lays on the search for predictive markers. Detection of multiple tumor-related genetic alterations through NGS in cell free DNA is a promising tool, provided the limited availability of tumor tissue in most cases. Methods: Between January 2017 and October 2019, aNSCLC pts consecutively referring to our Institution were prospectively screened with plasma NGS while included in two clinical trials: VISION (NCT02864992) and MAGIC trial, an observational study. In VISION trial NGS was performed in plasma (Guardant360 test) and tissue (Oncomine Focus Assay). In MAGIC Myriapod NGS-IL 56G Assay was used. Aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of STK11, KRAS and TP53 mutations (muts) on outcome of ICI-treated pts, with overall survival (OS) as primary endpoint. A control group of pts not receiving ICIs was also analyzed. Results: A total of 235 NSCLC pts were enrolled and received ICIs. 93 pts were analyzed in plasma at the time of beginning ICIs: median OS was 18.9 m (95% CI: 13.7-24.1) and median immune-related progression free disease (irPFS) 3.8 m (95% CI: 2.5-5.1). 49 (52.7%), 22 (23.7%) and 8 (8.6%) pts carried TP53, KRAS and STK11 pathogenic alterations, respectively. STK11 mutated pts showed a trend for worse OS compared with wildtype counterpart (14.9 m, 95% CI: 6.5-23.3, versus 20.3, 95% CI: 13.4-27.2, p = 0.192) KRAS muts had no impact on outcome. Pts with TP53 or STK11/KRAS co-mut (n = 3) had worse OS (12.3 m, 95% CI: 9.2-15.4; HR = 3, 95% CI: 1.6-5.8, p = 0.001 and 5.9 m, 95% CI: 1.4-7.6; HR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4-6.3, p = 0.007) and worse irPFS (2.8 m, 95% CI: 1.7-3.9, HR = 1.8 95% CI: 1.1-3.1, p = 0.03 and 1.2 m, 95% CI: 0.9-1.5, HR = 2.2 95% CI: 1.2-4.1, p = 0.01). Number of muts negatively impacts pts’ OS (HR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3, p = 0.02) and was higher among TP53 mutated pts (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). In multivariate analysis, TP53 and STK11/KRAS retained significance. A control group of pts not receiving ICIs was analyzed (n = 101): median OS was 16.8 m (95% CI: 13-20.6). Nor STK11 (n = 10), nor STK11/KRAS (n = 6) had impact on OS (HR = 1.8, 95% CI: 0.7-4.7, p = 0.267 and 1.4, 95% CI: 0.7-3.0, p = 0.293) while the presence of TP53 muts (n = 41) was associated with shorter OS (11.4 m, 95% CI: 7.3-15.5; HR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-4.2, p = 0.009). Conclusions: NGS performed in plasma might be used to detect predictive markers. TP53 muts in plasma at baseline had prognostic value, while STK11/KRAS muts were associated with worse outcome to ICIs.


Author(s):  
Rishab Bharadwaj ◽  
Thulasi Raman ◽  
Ravikumar Thangadorai ◽  
Deenadayalan Munirathnam

Hereditary hemolytic anemias present a unique diagnostic challenge due to their wide phenotypic and genotypic spectrum. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure appropriate treatment. We report two cases, which presented as hemolytic anemias, but initial workup was inconclusive and they were finally diagnosed with the help of Next Generation Sequencing (Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis and Kӧln Hemoglobinopathy). The introduction of gene sequencing to aid diagnosis of these disorders is a revolutionary step forward and should be incorporated earlier in the workup of such patients.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Weber ◽  
Benjamin Spiegl ◽  
Samantha O. Perakis ◽  
Christine M. Ulz ◽  
Peter M. Abuja ◽  
...  

Molecular profiling from liquid biopsy, in particular cell-free DNA (cfDNA), represents an attractive alternative to tissue biopsies for the detection of actionable targets and tumor monitoring. In addition to PCR-based assays, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based cfDNA assays are now commercially available and are being increasingly adopted in clinical practice. However, the validity of these products as well as the clinical utility of cfDNA in the management of patients with cancer has yet to be proven. Within framework of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) program CANCER-ID we evaluated the use of commercially available reference materials designed for ctDNA testing and cfDNA derived from Diagnostic Leukaphereses (DLA) for inter- and intra-assay as well as intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons. In three experimental setups, a broad range of assays including ddPCR, MassARRAY and various NGS-based assays were tested. We demonstrate that both reference materials with predetermined VAFs and DLA samples are extremely useful for the performance assessment of mutation analysis platforms. Moreover, our data indicate a substantial variability of NGS assays with respect to sensitivity and specificity highlighting the importance of extensive validation of the test performance before offering these tests in clinical routine practice.


Author(s):  
Matthew B. Yurgelun ◽  
Heather Hampel

Identification of individuals with inherited predispositions to cancer, including Lynch syndrome, can help prevent cancer and cancer-related death by allowing for the uptake of specific cancer prevention and screening as well as the use of therapies directed toward the underlying neoplastic process for individuals with advanced cancer. In the 25 years since the discovery of microsatellite instability (MSI) and the first recognition of germline mismatch repair (MMR) gene variants as the etiologic basis of Lynch syndrome, there has been tremendous progress in the understanding of the spectrum of cancer risk associated with Lynch syndrome as well as in cancer prevention and risk-reduction strategies. The past few years, in particular, have brought transformative changes in the treatment of Lynch syndrome–associated cancers with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In parallel, advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies now allow rapid and scalable somatic and germline sequencing that promises to help identify Lynch syndrome in individuals who otherwise lack classic phenotypes. Last, real progress is being made to understand more sophisticated methods of precision cancer prevention, including chemotherapeutic prevention agents (e.g., aspirin) and strategies that leverage the immune system to facilitate primary cancer prevention in otherwise-healthy Lynch syndrome carriers.


2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 3863-3868 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kirk Harris ◽  
Jason W. Sahl ◽  
Todd A. Castoe ◽  
Brandie D. Wagner ◽  
David D. Pollock ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Constructing mixtures of tagged or bar-coded DNAs for sequencing is an important requirement for the efficient use of next-generation sequencers in applications where limited sequence data are required per sample. There are many applications in which next-generation sequencing can be used effectively to sequence large mixed samples; an example is the characterization of microbial communities where ≤1,000 sequences per samples are adequate to address research questions. Thus, it is possible to examine hundreds to thousands of samples per run on massively parallel next-generation sequencers. However, the cost savings for efficient utilization of sequence capacity is realized only if the production and management costs associated with construction of multiplex pools are also scalable. One critical step in multiplex pool construction is the normalization process, whereby equimolar amounts of each amplicon are mixed. Here we compare three approaches (spectroscopy, size-restricted spectroscopy, and quantitative binding) for normalization of large, multiplex amplicon pools for performance and efficiency. We found that the quantitative binding approach was superior and represents an efficient scalable process for construction of very large, multiplex pools with hundreds and perhaps thousands of individual amplicons included. We demonstrate the increased sequence diversity identified with higher throughput. Massively parallel sequencing can dramatically accelerate microbial ecology studies by allowing appropriate replication of sequence acquisition to account for temporal and spatial variations. Further, population studies to examine genetic variation, which require even lower levels of sequencing, should be possible where thousands of individual bar-coded amplicons are examined in parallel.


Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Soyeon Kim ◽  
Joo Won Lee ◽  
Young-Seok Park

Despite the introduction of next-generation sequencing in the realm of DNA sequencing technology, it is not often used in the investigation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Oral cancer is one of the most frequently occurring malignancies in some parts of the world and has a high mortality rate. Patients with this malignancy are likely to have a poor prognosis and may suffer from severe facial deformity or mastication problems even after successful treatment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of this malignancy is essential to prevent and treat it. This review sought to highlight the contributions of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in unveiling the genetic alterations and differential expressions of miRNAs involved in OSCC progression. By applying an appropriate eligibility criterion, we selected relevant studies for review. Frequently identified mutations in genes such as TP53, NOTCH1, and PIK3CA are discussed. The findings of existing miRNAs (e.g., miR-21) as well as novel discoveries pertaining to OSCC are also covered. Lastly, we briefly mention the latest findings in targeted gene therapy and the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers. Our goal is to encourage researchers to further adopt NGS in their studies and give an overview of the latest findings of OSCC treatment.


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