UltraSEEK® Colon Panel: Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Research and Treatment
Colorectal cancer, a common yet complex disease, requires detailed genetic analysis to understand its progression and resistance to treatments. The UltraSEEK® Colon Panel is a crucial development in this area, providing comprehensive insights into the genetics of colorectal cancer.
Broad Range of Mutation Detection
The UltraSEEK® Colon Panel is designed to detect over 100 clinically relevant variants in key genes like BRAF, EGFR, KRAS, NRAS, and PIK3CA. These genes are crucial in colorectal cancer, and mutations within them can significantly influence the course of the disease and its response to treatments.
High Sensitivity for Low-Frequency Variants
A feature of this panel is its ability to identify variants present at very low frequencies, as low as 0.1% variant allele frequency. This high sensitivity is essential for accurately detecting and monitoring minimal residual disease and emerging resistance mutations, which are often present in only a small fraction of tumor cells.
Efficient with Small DNA Samples
The panel’s efficiency with small DNA samples is particularly advantageous. It requires as little as 10 ng of cfDNA, making it suitable for colorectal cancer samples, which often present in limited quantities and are of poor quality.
Quick and Practical for Lab Use
With only 1 hour of hands-on time and a total process time of 8 hours, the UltraSEEK® Colon Panel fits well into the workflow of clinical and research laboratories. This efficiency is particularly important in the fast-paced field of cancer research, where timely data is crucial.
The panel enables the study of disease progression and resistance in colorectal cancer from circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). It can detect over 80 variants from a single blood draw at a low 0.1% minor allele frequency, providing a comprehensive view of the cancer’s genetic profile.
Challenges in Colorectal Cancer Sample Testing
Mutation profiling in colorectal cancer can be challenging due to the small size and low percentage of tumor cells in samples. Moreover, with new testing guidelines recommending expanded RAS and RAF genotyping, there is an increased demand for testing that can handle a larger number of targets without requiring large or high-quality samples. The UltraSEEK® Colon Panel meets these needs by being optimized for low and poor-quality DNA.
Conclusion
The UltraSEEK® Colon Panel represents a advancement in the genetic analysis of colorectal cancer. Its ability to provide detailed mutation profiles from minimal and even poor-quality samples makes it a valuable tool for understanding and combating this complex disease. By offering detailed genetic insights, it paves the way for more targeted and effective treatment strategies, contributing to improved patient care in colorectal cancer.
