Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Illumina Launch Comprehensive Circulating Tumor DNA Program
September 16 2015 - 6:30AM
Business Wire
Collaboration Aims to Determine Range of
Opportunities for Non-Invasive Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and Illumina, Inc.
(NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced a collaboration to conduct research
studies that are critical to understanding the biology of
circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The studies aim to inform the
development of new strategies to diagnose and monitor cancer and to
help establish ctDNA as an important marker in the study and
eventual treatment of cancer.
Traditional biopsies for acquiring tumor DNA are typically
invasive and risky and are often not possible. Additionally, single
biopsies may not be able to measure the heterogeneity that is often
present in tumors. Fortunately, scientists have discovered that
dying tumor cells release small pieces of their DNA into the
bloodstream. These pieces are called cell-free circulating tumor
DNA (ctDNA)1 and can be detected in a blood sample via DNA
sequencing2.
As global leaders in cancer care and in next-generation
sequencing, MSK and Illumina will conduct research trials designed
to answer biological and clinical questions about ctDNA in multiple
cancer types. MSK will collect samples, and Illumina will apply its
best-in-class sequencing technology to detect ctDNA in those
samples. The program will work to validate a ctDNA assay to
demonstrate correlation between ctDNA signal and cancer burden.
“The possibility of reducing the number of invasive and
expensive diagnostic and monitoring procedures with a simple blood
draw is a game-changer for cancer patients and for oncology,” said
Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer
at MSK.
“This relationship between Illumina and MSK will create
important data regarding the value, the significance and the
potential applications of measuring ctDNA via deep sequencing,”
said Dr. Rick Klausner, SVP and Chief Medical Officer of Illumina.
“Is ctDNA not simply equivalent to, but superior to current methods
of cancer diagnosis and monitoring? Can we replace expensive and
invasive monitoring with a blood test? Does ctDNA reflect the total
burden of cancer clones, and is it equivalent to or better than
biopsies at predicting outcome and therapeutic response? These are
the types of questions we will work towards answering.”
About Memorial Sloan Kettering
We are the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center,
home to more than 13,000 physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff
united by a relentless dedication to conquering cancer. As an
independent institution, we combine 130 years of research and
clinical leadership with the freedom to provide highly
individualized, exceptional care to each patient. And our
always-evolving educational programs continue to train new leaders
in the field, here and around the world. For more information, go
to www.mskcc.org.
About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the
genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global
leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving
customers in the research, clinical and applied markets. Our
products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology,
reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. To
learn more, visit www.illumina.com and follow @illumina.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking
statements are detailed in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms
10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference
calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We do
not intend to update any forward-looking statements after the date
of this release.
1 Definition of ctDNA from National Human Genome Research
Institute, link accessed on August 19, 2015. 2 Bianchi, DW, et al,
JAMA. 2015 Jul 14; 314(2):162-9.
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MSKCaitlin Hool,
212-639-3573hoolc@mskcc.orgorIllumina, Inc.Investors:Rebecca
Chambers, 858-255-5243rchambers@illumina.comorMedia:Jennifer
Temple, 858-882-6822pr@illumina.com
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