Hamburg, Germany and Baltimore, Maryland, 2019.09.04 ̶ Using Sysmex Inostics’ novel SafeSEQ next-
generation sequencing cell-free DNA technology, investigators from the Biomedical Research Institute of
Malaga [(IBIMA)-CIMES-UMA, Malaga Spain] and collaborators have published the first pilot study to
examine the use of a non-invasive liquid biopsy in early diagnosis of breast cancer. This study was
unique in that the ctDNA analyses was performed before any invasive diagnostic procedure or
treatment.
The SafeSEQ liquid biopsy technology has shown sensitivity down to five mutant molecules in a
background of ten thousand normal ones (or 0.05% mutant allele frequency also known as MAF).
Utilizing the genes TP53 and PIK3CA, which are commonly mutated in breast cancer, investigators
compared the results of traditional standard-of-care tissue biopsy with those of liquid biopsy to
determine the degree to which a highly sensitive assay might complement clinical assessment of
disease. Of the 13 mutations detected in 10 of the primary breast cancer patients (out of a total of 29
samples) 8 mutations had a variant allele frequency less than 0.39%.
Comparing tissue to liquid biopsy, eight patients had detectable mutations in ctDNA with concordant
results between tissue and plasma. Liquid biopsy testing with SafeSEQ detected an additional three
patients with ctDNA mutations that were not present in the tissue. The breast cancer samples with
detected ctDNA biomarkers were significantly associated with a lower patient age, a higher tumor size,
and higher imaging score (indicating higher likelihood of neoplastic disease).
“We have shown in this study how important a sensitive technology is for early detection of breast
cancer, as trace amounts of circulating tumor DNA may be lost by the detection method leading to false-
negative resultsâ€, said Dr. Emilio Alba, senior author of the Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga.
“Studies of this kind have not been attempted before due to limitations of the technology, and it is great
to see Sysmex Inostics leading the path forward for early detection.â€
The publication “Detection of TP53 and PIK3CA mutations in circulating tumor DNA using Next-
Generation Sequencing in the screening process for early breast cancer diagnosisâ€, was published online
in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in August of 2019. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8081183
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About Sysmex Inostics
Sysmex Inostics, a subsidiary of Sysmex Corporation, is a molecular diagnostic company that is a pioneer
in blood-based cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) mutation detection in oncology utilizing highly sensitive
technologies such as OncoBEAMâ„¢ (digital PCR) and SafeSEQ (NGS). These technologies were initially
developed by experts at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine over a decade ago and this deep
expertise in ctDNA analysis extends to the core of Sysmex Inostics’ capabilities for technology
development and implementation.
With more than 10 years’ of experience in liquid biopsy, Sysmex Inostics is a trusted partner to leading
pharmaceutical companies, advancing their efforts to bring the most effective personalized cancer
therapies to global markets, from discovery through companion diagnostics.
Sysmex Inostics’ OncoBEAM™ and SafeSEQ services are readily available to support clinical trials and
research in oncology. In addition, OncoBEAMâ„¢ tests are available through a CLIA certified laboratory for
routine clinical analysis as well as distributed kit products in the EU and Asia Pacific.
Sysmex Inostics’ headquarters and GCP Service Laboratory are located in Hamburg Germany; Sysmex
Inostics’ CLIA-certified and GCP Clinical Laboratory is located in Baltimore, Maryland. For more
information refer to www.sysmex-inostics.com or email info@sysmex-inostics.com.
Contact:
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