Takis’ Post

Recently, I was talking to someone from industry who was expressing their challenges around identification and testing of NSCLC patients for MET exon 14 skipping variants and MET amplification. So, we pulled out last 700 odd cases of NSCLC (including lung SCC) samples tested in our lab on multigene NGS (DNA & RNA) panels. Some interesting observations - * About 7.5% of all lung biopsy cases sequenced showed either MET exon 14 skipping variant or MET amplification. * Small number of lung SCC cases also showed MET exon 14 skipping variants. * These numbers are more than the total number of cases that showed one of the three actionable fusions (ALK/ROS1/RET fusions). * We would miss nearly half of all the MET exon 14 skipping cases if we only performed DNA panel instead of the combined DNA & RNA panel (due to the inherent limitations of DNA only NGS panels in picking up some particular types of MET exon 14 skipping variants). Conclusion - we should take MET gene testing (on appropriate platforms) in NSCLC (including lung SCC) more seriously!

https://lnkd.in/dV5HkZx This review focuses on the potential of the #CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system in identifying and overcoming #drug_resistance in solid tumors. The findings emphasize the importance of CRISPR/Cas9 in understanding drug resistance mechanisms and identifying genes such as PBRM1, SLFN11, and ATPE1 that contribute to resistance in various cancers. Additionally, the role of genes like RSF1, CDK5, and SGOL1, whose disruption can work in tandem with currently available drugs like paclitaxel and sorafenib, has been identified. The CRISPR/Cas9 system can be a valuable tool in elucidating the molecular basis of drug resistance and improving clinical outcomes.

In a study titled "Automation of 2D and 3D Cell-based Assays for Phenotypic Drug Screening," published in MDPI, researchers employed the SpectraMax® i3x Multi-Mode Microplate Reader with MiniMax™ 300 Imaging Cytometer from Molecular Devices to automate the imaging process and perform a variety of quantitative cell-based analyses, with the aim of studying dietary polyphenols and their therapeutic effects in human metastatic #melanoma cell lines. Using the MiniMax cytometer, they obtained cell counts (2D) and area (3D), which were used to assess #cellviability with Presto blue and proliferation with Ki-67 (Figure 1E and Supplementary Figure S1). Fluorescence measurements were used to quantify reactive oxygen species (#ROS), and the plate reader’s #luminescence detection mode was used to measure cellular responses to treatment with reporter gene #assays and caspase 7 readouts. The SpectraMax i3x reader played a crucial role in enabling efficient and accurate data acquisition for a wide range of cellular screening assays. https://lnkd.in/g8-uTZik #saturdayscience

View the featured discussions of our recent live webinar focusing on the importance of broad molecular profiling to avoid missing detection of actionable biomarkers, and how to use new targeted treatment options to optimize care of patients in advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping mutations. https://lnkd.in/eKZTMb3v

Did you know that @ThermoFisher's Invitrogen™ ProcartaPlex™ multiplex assays offer high flexibility to serve your individual research needs, allowing you to gain deeper insights into inflammation, cytokine profiling, oncology, and infectious diseases? Explore their vast selection of ProcartaPlex™ assays with ease, as you easily select your targets of interest using their ProcartaPlex™ Panel Configurator. Also, choose from over 250 panels or design your own Invitrogen™ QuantiGene™ Plex assay, which enables multiplex gene expression analysis without the need for RNA isolation. Check it out in this month’s Resource Round-Up. https://hubs.li/Q02Ndjf20 #Multiplexing #ThermoFisher

The Fresenius Kabi Cue® can precisely concentrate, wash, dilute, formulate and aliquot cell suspensions. The Cue automates labor-intensive and highly variable tasks in the manufacturing workflow. This automated and functionally closed system will provide cell and gene therapy developers a much-needed solution for their commercial-scale cGMP final fill and finish step. Contact an expert: https://lnkd.in/gZWPCiem #cue #cellprocessing #cellandgenetherapy The Cue Cell Processing System is for laboratory use only and may not be used for direct transfusion. Appropriate regulatory clearance is required by the user for clinical use. Refer to the Cue Cell Processing System User's Guide for a complete list of warnings and precautions associated with the use of this device. For additional information, please visit www.scaleready.com/cue

A major challenge encountered during targeted therapy clinal trials is to detect drug resistance and minimal residual disease (MRD). We now have excellent tools for managing/detecting drug resistance as well as MRD such as liquid biopsy, NGS, whole genome/exome sequencing and transcriptomics. We have the capability to perform Comprehensive Genomic and Gene Expression Profiling of on-treatment patients on the fly, during the trial and after a drug is approved by FDA. With fierce competition in the NGS technology space, the cost of using these technologies for patient care and monitoring has come down significantly. By using these tools and proactively addressing the issues faced during clinical trials, we will see continuous improvement in cancer patient treatment as we continue this, often treacherous, but meaningful journey. #Diagnostics #CompanionDiagnostics #MRD #FDA #Biomarkers #SNPs #VariantAnalysis #PrecisionMedicine #TargetedTherapies #CancerTreatment #ClinicalTrials #LiquidBiopsy #NGS #GenomicProfiling #Trancriptomic #ComprehensiveGenomicProfiling

#ICYMI: Download the Accellix poster from #CYTO2024 on our website: https://lnkd.in/gsEH4fKK Explore the data generated in collaboration with Triumvira Immunologics, Inc. demonstrating the capabilities of our automated flow cytometer platform: ▪ Detect and resolve all the major immune cell lineages (T, B and NK cells) with high reproducibility and low inter-operator variability ▪ Cell frequencies and yields were comparable to conventional cytometers and cell counters

On my way to Chicago for ASCO! Excited to connect with fellow Genetic Counselors in Precision Oncology- send me a dm & let me know if you’ll be there. Let's discuss the abstracts and plenaries you're most looking forward to! Please reply here with sessions or abstracts that are on your must see list. Personally, I'm eager about tumor agnostic biomarkers, applications of ctDNA, and MCED. #PrecisionOncology

✨ Published in Molecular #Cancer: The article established a culture method for human MPM #organoids using tumor tissue from MPM patients. #Histopathological analysis and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were employed to determine the ability of #MPMOs to replicate the original tumor's genetic and histological characteristics. The subcutaneous and orthotopic #xenograft #models were employed to assess the feasibility of establishing an in vivo model of MPM. MPMOs were also used to conduct drug screening and compare the results with retrospective analysis of patients after treatment, in order to evaluate the potential of MPMOs in predicting the effectiveness of drugs in MPM patients. 👉 Related Product Recommendation: Hyaluronidase Hyaluronidase (Hyaluronate 4-glycanohydrolase; #Hyaluronoglucosaminidase) is a naturally occurring #enzyme that depolymerizes hyaluronic acid by cleavage of glycosidic bonds. https://lnkd.in/gjxkkv82 👉 For more detailed information: https://lnkd.in/d8TMmcVb