Precision for Medicine and Agena Bioscience have announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving the detection of mutations in lung tumor samples. The collaboration leverages Agena Bioscience's MassARRAY® technology to identify mutations in samples that were previously deemed quality not sufficient (QNS) or failed on next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms.
The partnership's findings were presented at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo. The study utilized Precision for Medicine's biospecimen inventory, which includes lung tumor samples that had failed quality metrics on leading NGS platforms. By applying the Agena iPLEX® HS Lung Panel on the MassARRAY® System, actionable mutations were identified in 40% of these cases.
Key Findings from the Study
The study revealed that the Agena iPLEX® HS Lung Panel on the MassARRAY® System identified mutations in 40% of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tumor samples that had previously failed quality metrics on leading NGS platforms. Among these findings were actionable mutations in five clinically relevant genes: KRAS, EGFR, BRAF, ERBB2 and PIK3CA. Additionally, the MassARRAY® System demonstrated a significantly lower failure rate of 2% compared to the 22% observed with NGS platforms.
"By delivering pre-characterized biospecimens with precise mutation data, we enable faster and more cost-effective research while simultaneously providing scientific expertise to guide clients," said Darren Davis, PhD, Senior Vice President at Precision for Medicine. "This holistic approach is what sets Precision for Medicine apart as a trusted and preferred partner rather than just a vendor. Our unique offering of biospecimen inventory and NGS tissue profiling helps save critical time for clients racing to develop therapies and make a difference in patient outcomes."
The results demonstrated high reliability, achieving a 100% Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and 99.7% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) through ddPCR validation. This provides an extra layer of confidence compared to typical sequencing results from other service providers.
Implications for Research and Clinical Workflows
The strategic partnership between Precision for Medicine and Agena Bioscience combines cutting-edge molecular profiling technology with biospecimen and tissue profiling services. This collaboration aims to accelerate research and streamline client timelines by providing faster and more cost-effective mutation profiling. With comprehensive sequencing already conducted across 23 oncology indications, Precision for Medicine's offering provides cost savings with high quality, annotated samples ready for immediate use. The MassARRAY system generates actionable data within 1-2 days, compared to the 10–15-day typical lead time with NGS.
"Our extensive and diverse biospecimen inventory serves as a critical tool for discovery, offering clients the ability to address a wide range of research challenges with efficiency," said Cullen Taylor, MD, Medical Director at Precision for Medicine. "With over 3 million tissue samples and 16,000 fully annotated, pre-sequenced biospecimens, we provide a ready to use resource that supports assay development and validation with unmatched precision and scale."
