Current conversations on dPCR and oncology

Companion diagnostics goes digital

Navigating cancer's complexity with biomarker testing

Cancer is a genetic disease and biomarker testing is critical to identify the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. Biomarker testing informs clinicians about specific genetic changes that may be driving cancer growth and is necessary to develop a targeted approach to cancer therapy. Cancer patients and physicians want to know how successful a treatment is, if any minimal residual disease persists and when it’s time to adjust treatment to avoid disease relapse.  

Detecting low molecular levels is key 

Early detection of a patient’s individual biomarkers requires frequent testing based on blood, using highly sensitive and accurate technologies. Digital PCR (dPCR) can help find the ‘needle in the haystack’ by detecting genomic aberrations at minimum DNA or RNA levels. An example of this could be a resistance biomarker that indicates the need to change the course of treatment to another drug.

For certain cancers, the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapy in recent decades has dramatically improved treatment options. Biomarker monitoring provides key information for the indication of these types of treatments. 

QIAcuity Advanced OneStep EG Kit

Greater sensitivity for greater accuracy 

For many years quantitative PCR (qPCR) was the standard technology to detect mutations, fusions and other genomic aberrations for treatment decision making in solid tumors and leukemias. Continuous monitoring of a resistance biomarker allows for treatment change before a disease relapse becomes clinically obvious.

Digital PCR is up to 100-times more sensitive than qPCR and delivers highly accurate results, which physicians and clinicians can rely on. This type of testing goes much deeper than qPCR. Digital makes the difference.  

Developing QIAcuity for IVD use 

Academic and pharmaceutical research and development programs at QIAGEN have used QIAcuity digital PCR instruments for several years. More than 2000 research-use-only instruments are installed at molecular laboratories around the world.

The instrument has now been approved for IVD use in the US and Europe for companion diagnostic and clinical development programs. With this approval, QIAcuityDx instruments will be installed at clinical laboratories in each pharma target market to cover country-wide patient testing requirements from the first day of launching a drug.

female scientist

What role could dPCR play in developing cancer monitoring?

Over the past few months, we connected with oncohematology experts at the forefront of dPCR research. To hear their experience, results and thoughts on these questions, we compiled some highlights from our latest events.

See how digital PCR testing works on QIAcuity instruments
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Catch up on-demand

Watch our on-demand webinars to hear from the oncohematology experts at the forefront of dPCR research. You will learn about their experience, results and thoughts on which role could dPCR play in developing cancer monitoring.

Digital PCR for monitoring NSCLC

Presented by: Dr. Colin Lindsay

Hear how standardization of molecular testing was achieved for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and how this model could be used for other blood cancers.

Presented by: Prof. Susan Branford, SA Pathology

Listen to translational research conversations on the use of dPCR for liquid biopsies.

Presented by: Prof. Jo Vandesompele

Learn more about the potential of using dPCR to monitor response to treatments in patients affected by solid tumors.

Presented by: Dr. Marzia del Re