Why More Clinical Labs Are Turning to Whole-Genome Sequencing for Cancer

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 5, 2024 / Illumina

The adoption of WGS in precision oncology is on the rise. Plus: the promise of MRD

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) use is more established for rare and pediatric disease, but next-generation sequencing in clinical use for cancer consists of various approaches. In the last two decades since a targeted therapy was first approved for the EGFR mutation, comprehensive genomic profiling, or CGP, has become a gold standard for genomic assessment of cancer. CGP is a single next-generation sequencing assay that assesses hundreds of genes, including relevant cancer biomarkers, for therapy guidance. WGS is a comprehensive method for analyzing entire genomes-human, animal, plant, or disease-related microbes-and its use is restricted to certain cancer types as well as select top-tier academic settings worldwide.

"Prior to therapy selection usage in the 2010s, genomics was, and still is, quite a potent diagnostic, classification, and prognostication tool in cancer," says Illumina Global Medical Director of Oncology Sugganth Daniel Pillei, MD.

Whole-genome sequencing is applicable in specific types of cancer, such as blood cancers, pediatric malignancies, CNS malignancy, and sarcomas. Daniel explains: "In hematologic malignancies, for example, that proportion of diagnostic and prognostic usage remains very high, because the amount of detail that is needed to accurately diagnose, classify, and risk-stratify leukemias is highly dependent on genomics and has become more so with time."

Classifying leukemias, such as acute myeloid leukemias, is more complex in part because blood cancer cells have highly diversified genomic lineages-but accurate classification and risk stratification determine the treatment regimen. "In this context, WGS makes sense," Daniel says, "because you need that broad suite of mutations and variants and genome-wide patterns to make up the picture of what the cancer is, in addition to pinpointing the therapy targets."

After blood cancers, which show the greatest clinical utility so far, pediatric cancers also benefit from the more comprehensive method. The combination of diagnosis, classification, and prognosis required in pediatric cancers dictates the need for whole-genome sequencing.

CGP is a targeted panel that focuses on certain areas of the genome, whereas WGS looks across the board. "Whatever we see in CGP, you're going to see on WGS, and much, much more," Daniel says. In fact, WGS pairs well with information that other testing provides, such as cytogenetics from karyotyping; and gene copy number changes, deletions, and amplifications through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing.

So handeln Sie das Kursziel

Der Analyst erwartet ein Kursziel von 131,43$, was eine Steigerung von +5,00% zum aktuellen Kurs entspricht. Mit diesen Produkten können Sie die Kurserwartungen des Analysten übertreffen.

 

Vontobel

 

Alle Partner

Übernehmen

Für Ihre Einstellungen haben wir keine weiteren passenden Produkte gefunden.
Bitte verändern Sie Kursziel, Zeitraum oder Emittent.Alternativ können Sie auch unsere Derivate-Suchen verwenden
Knock-Out-Suche | Optionsschein-Suche | Zertifikate-Suche

WerbungDisclaimer