SITC 2021 | Mutational profiling: NGS and molecular assays
Cecilia Yeung, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, talks on advances in the development of CAR T-cells. Additionally, Dr Yeung discusses the benefits of using the Genexus platform to simultaneously generate RNA and DNA sequencing and deliver a comprehensive molecular profile. One of the most important benefits that this assay offers is the ability to provide next-generation sequencing (NGS) results within a day. This interview took place during the 36th Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Transcript (edited for clarity)
I think that depends on the way that the CARs are manufactured and developed, and engineered. For number of years, we had the construct where we built in shutoff switches within the CAR-T construct. If you do suspect, and we had a few patients where there was a decision of do we need to shut this down or not? It’s always good to build in a safety mechanism into these products.
In our laboratory, right now, we are validating a new assay on the Genexus Platform, which enables us to be able to do both RNA and DNA sequencing at the same time...
I think that depends on the way that the CARs are manufactured and developed, and engineered. For number of years, we had the construct where we built in shutoff switches within the CAR-T construct. If you do suspect, and we had a few patients where there was a decision of do we need to shut this down or not? It’s always good to build in a safety mechanism into these products.
In our laboratory, right now, we are validating a new assay on the Genexus Platform, which enables us to be able to do both RNA and DNA sequencing at the same time. I’m trained as a molecular pathologist, and since graduated from fellowship, this is the platform that I have really wanted to be able to interrogate both RNA and DNA at the same time within a day. Finally, we have instruments that can do that.
Let me talk about past standard of care for next-generation sequencing and molecular assays. Typically a next-generation sequencing assay can be performed from sample through reporting in a stat case, maybe five days, three days in some really high functioning reference laboratories and academic laboratories. But really, about five days is the fastest you can get it. Typical is about 10 to 14 days when you get a molecular report with complete mutation of profiling, and that’s DNA or RNA, not combined.
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