Targeted DNA sequencing of cell-free tumor DNA (circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA) shed into a patient?s blood holds great promise for detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of cancer. Given that all tumor cells have the potential to shed ctDNA, targeted assays using modern next-generation sequencing methods and digital PCR can provide insight into the entirety of a patient?s tumor burden. ctDNA is therefore an attractive biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients via non-invasive peripheral blood draw. Such assays, however, require ultra-sensitive sequencing fidelity, flexible target multiplexing, and uniform target amplification for efficient, quantitative, and cost-effective testing. In addition, several challenges arise in the implementation of assays to identify and monitor tumor-specific mutations extracted from blood. First, the mutant DNA from cancer cells is rare compared to the background of normal DNA, requiring detection sensitivities below 0.1% for some clinical applications. Second, cell-free DNA extracted from plasma is limited in mass (<100 ng / 5 ml sample), and typically degraded to very short fragment lengths, requiring efficient capture and amplification of the targets of interest. Third, cancer diagnosis and monitoring may require surveillance of a multitude of tumor or patient-specific mutations, requiring multiplex amplification for efficient sample utilization. In collaboration with our academic partners at Boston University and the University of California San Francisco, we have developed a novel next-generation sequencing sample preparation platform that addresses these critical challenges - PIPSenSeq (Pre-templated Instant Partitions for Sensitive Sequencing). This approach takes advantage of molecular indexing for consensus-read sequencing in combination with single-molecule amplification in Poisson-distributed nanoscale partitions. Furthermore, PIPSenSeq provides a simple, rapid library preparation that does not require complex, expensive instrumentation or microfluidic consumables. In this proposal we will develop PIPSenSeq as a commercial-ready platform for cancer monitoring, and demonstrate clinical utility in a study of 60 - 70 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. These patients will be monitored post-operatively for tumor recurrence using personalized PIPSenSeq panels on longitudinally collected ctDNA samples.

Public Health Relevance

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), obtained via a blood draw, is increasingly seen as a clinically valuable biomarker for cancer detection and diagnosis. The objective of this proposal is to develop and demonstrate the clinical utility of a new technology for personalized cancer detection and longitudinal monitoring. This proposal combines the core innovation of our company, pre-templated instant partitions, with a validated multiplex PCR assay from our collaborator to create a novel technology that overcomes the critical barriers to flexible, multiplexed PCR-based ctDNA tests for cancer monitoring.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
4R44CA244049-02
Application #
10236622
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Lou, Xing-Jian
Project Start
2020-09-04
Project End
2022-08-31
Budget Start
2020-09-04
Budget End
2021-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Fluent Biosciences Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
081277504
City
Watertown
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02472