The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is recognized globally as one of the most influential and comprehensive clinical oncology conferences. Each year, the conference attracts over 40,000 oncologists and oncology researchers from around the world. The platform enables them to share, debate and collaborate on novel therapies and be at the forefront of cancer research. This year’s theme, “Caring for Every Patient, Learning From Every Patient”, focused on providing all cancer patients, regardless of background, with equal access to the highest quality of care and the opportunity to participate in research.
Geneseeq Technology Inc., a leader in precision medicine, attended the ASCO Annual Meeting for the fourth year in a row to share their latest research results. Through successful collaborations, they have made great strides in academic and clinical research which have been recognized by the international scientific community. With over 220,000 clinical samples tested and hundreds of clinical studies, Geneseeq demonstrates innovation and rigor, and continues to set the bar higher for clinical services and translational research.
Geneseeq Exhibition Booth
The latest products and research results were presented at the Geneseeq exhibition booth. Visitors to the booth represented expertise across a broad spectrum of cancer research areas. The Geneseeq team had engaging discussions with their visitors about the current and future outlook of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies in providing cancer care. Geneseeq is honoured to be a part of the journey in improving precision care, and to witness rapid medical advancements that better patients’ lives.
Highlights of Geneseeq Clinical Research
Geneseeq presented recent scientific findings in five poster presentations and eight online publications. The poster sessions are summarized below:
Poster 1 (Abstract #3045): Circulating bacterial DNA as a tool towards noninvasive biomarkers for colorectal adenocarcinoma and adenoma
In collaboration with Dr. Kefeng Ding and Dr. Qian Xiao’s team from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, high-throughput NGS technology was used to characterize microbiota DNA in patients’ plasma samples compared to healthy controls (HC) in order to build a machine-learning model for early detection of adenocarcinoma (ADC) and adenoma (ADM). This study is the first effort to characterize circulating bacteria DNA in patients with ADC and ADM. Our findings revealed significant differences in the relative abundance of several bacterial species between ADC, ADM and HC. A predictive model constructed with selected microbial features accurately distinguished ADC and ADM from HC. Circulating bacteria biomarkers represent potential non-invasive tools for early diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.3045 Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20 2019) 3045-3045.
Poster 2 (Abstract #3544): ctDNA as a potential prognostic marker for locally advanced rectal cancer patients with ‘watch and wait’ approach
In collaboration with Dr. Zhen Zhang’s team from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the potential role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker to predict treatment outcome and improve risk stratification in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The study reveals that ctDNA is a biomarker for predicting pathological complete response during neoadjuvant therapy and guiding patient selection for “watch and wait” (W&W) strategy to increase patients’ quality of life.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.3544 Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20 2019) 3544-3544.
Poster 3 (Abstract #4092) : SHR-1210 plus GEMOX as a first line treatment in biliary tract cancer: results from a single-arm exploratory study
In collaboration with Dr. Yongqian Shu’s team from Jiangsu Province Hospital, tumor mutation burden (TMB) was assessed using the Geneseeq Prime panel in a single arm exploratory study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SHR-1210 plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) as first line treatment in patients (pts) with biliary tract cancer (BTC). The study revealed that high TMB patients had significantly higher response rates and supports that TMB might be an effective predictive factor for response to immunotherapy in biliary tract cancer patients.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.4092 Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20 2019) 4092-4092.
Poster 4 (Abstract # 8539): The spatiotemporal evolution of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer.
In collaboration with Dr. Rong Yin and Dr. Lin Xu’s team from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, the investigators used the Geneseeq Prime panel to investigate intratumor heterogeneity (ITH), and evolution of lymph node (LN) metastases in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. ITH correlates with morphological heterogeneity and differentiation grade. The findings highlight high intertumoral heterogeneity but limited intratumor heterogeneity of clinically actionable mutations. The researchers identified NF1 and TP53 as highly selected mutants driving LN metastasis. LN metastases composed of polyclones from a linear phylogenetic branch of primary tumor. Longitudinal and phylogenetic ctDNA analyses indicated early detection of relapse and adjuvant chemotherapy resistance.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.8539 Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20 2019) 8539-8539.
Poster 5 (9576): Comprehensive genomic profiling reveals distinct patterns of driver mutations and chromosomal alterations in acral and mucosal melanomas
In collaboration with Dr. Zhengyun Zou’s team from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, researchers used the Geneseeq Prime panel to perform genomic profiling of genes relevant in primary melanoma in an attempt to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying various melanoma subtypes. The findings show that different subtypes contain unique driver mutations and chromosomal alterations. Specifically, chromosome 7p amplification and RAD51 deletion are associated with poor patient outcomes.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2019.37.15_suppl.9576 Journal of Clinical Oncology 37, no. 15_suppl (May 20 2019) 9576-9576.
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]]>New biomarkers to predict patients’ clinical outcomes to ICI therapy in lung cancer
One of the ways cancer cells survive is by suppressing the body’s immune system. Cancer immunotherapy aims to restore immune function in cancer patients, allowing the body’s immune system to attack the cancer. One type of cancer immunotherapy is called immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Although it is approved for the treatment of many types of cancer with promising results, ICI therapy is only effective in a subset of patients, and it is believed that this is due to genetic differences among patients. For example, tumor mutation burden (TMB), a measurement of genetic mutations carried by tumor cells, is an emerging genetic biomarker associated with a better response to ICI therapy. But it is not a sufficient predictor on its own, and there is an important need to identify more robust biomarkers to select patients who will respond to ICI therapy. Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Geneseeq Technology Inc. recently discovered three new genetic biomarkers that predict patients’ response and clinical outcomes to ICI therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. These markers are also relevant for several other cancer types. The authors concluded that comprehensive genetic profiling of patients may help medical professionals to better treat certain kinds of cancer and avoid giving ineffective therapies to patients who do not respond. This exciting new research is paving the way toward a future where personalized medicine is the norm.
Read more: http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2019/05/11/1078-0432.CCR-19-0585.
By Laura Tennant.
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]]>Geneseeq and Illumina to Develop Clinical Oncogene Kit
Accelerate the launch of Cancer NGS Testing in China
Geneseeq, industry leader in next-generation sequencing (NGS) will collaborate with Illumina, global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies,to develop an oncogene detection kit for clinical diagnosis based on its industry-leading sequencing techology. Both parties will also conduct comprehensive cooperation in the promotion of high-throughput oncogene testing in China.
Geneseeq has been at the forefront of the development of high-throughput tumor genetic test kits. Its Multi-gene Detection Kit for Lung Cancer, a high-throughput sequencing method, has entered the China Food and Drug AdministrationCFDA’s innovative approval green channel and is expected to be approved this year. In addition, the company has several NGS-based test kits in the development and application process in the oncology field.
“Illumina is a long-term valued partner. As part of this collaboration, both parties will further leverage each of their strengths and dedication to accelerating the commercialization of NGS testing in clinical cancer in China,” said Dr. Shao Yang, CEO of Geneseeq CEO. “There is an urgent need for oncology gene detection kits with high-throughput sequencing technologies. The U.S. FDA just approved several tumor NGS test kits in 2017. The CFDA’s approval process is also accelerating. In this case, cooperating with Illumina will help advance Geneseeq’s growth in oncology, will further promote regulation of the entire industry and help accelerate clinical availability for patients.”
Source: Illumina
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The Canada China Business Excellence Awards recognize companies that have achieved excellent results in their business dealings and/or investment with China. The winners honoured have, over the past two years, made tremendous strides in growing their enterprises and deepening their ties with China. The winners of the CCBC Canada China Business Excellence Awards were announced during a luncheon in Toronto. Dr. Yang Shao, the founder and CEO of Geneseeq won gold for the Young Entrepreneurs Award. This category recognizes entrepreneurs who have come of age during China’s opening and reform period, who have created dynamic businesses that have include China in their global strategy.
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