Personalis, AstraZeneca to Explore ctDNA Testing in R&D

Personalis Inc., an advanced genomics provider for precision oncology, will continue its collaboration with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals to explore ultra-sensitive molecular residual disease (MRD) measurement, including clinically relevant and personalized variant tracking, for clinical research and drug development.
 
The two companies are collaborating to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity potential of whole-genome-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing, while simultaneously detecting and quantifying clinically relevant mutations in ctDNA that may be used to help guide therapy when cancer is detected. One trial, called CALLA, will investigate the role of ctDNA and HPV detection in plasma in locally advanced cervical cancer.
 
“Personalis designed NeXT Personal to provide ultra-high sensitivity and specificity for MRD detection. Our whole-genome, tumor-informed approach improves ctDNA measurement even when the plasma tumor fraction is exceptionally low, which is the case in multiple cancers with low mutational burden. We are pleased that AstraZeneca is prioritizing such sensitivity, with the aim of enabling earlier and more personalized interventions for patients,” said Christopher Hall, President and CEO of Personalis.
 
As part of the collaboration, Personalis’ NeXT Personal assay for liquid biopsy will aim to provide ultra-sensitive measurement of MRD, on-treatment therapy resistance tracking, and better differentiation between responders and non-responders, as well as investigate the underlying mechanisms driving cancer.