Isolation of Circulating Tumor DNA from Archived Plasma Samples for Downstream Digital Droplet PCR and Next Generation Sequencing Approaches

Summary

While early proof-of-principle studies have shown that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may have potential utility in cancer diagnostics, established standards for ctDNA workflow are needed. Currently, many ctDNA isolation protocols require large amounts of freshly-isolated plasma, often collected using specialized vacutainers for stabilization of the ctDNA. However, existing biorespositories contain a wealth of blood samples that do not necessarily conform to the current preferred methods for the collection of ctDNA, but could potentially be leveraged for the development of ctDNA biomarkers.

Join us to hear more about:

  • A discussion of methods for isolation of ctDNA from banked, frozen oncology patient plasma to use in downstream technologies, including automated purification methods
  • An investigation of the incorporation of these archived samples into ddPCR or next generation sequencing workflows for biomarker discovery
  • Details on current and future studies with ctDNA and sequencing with a panel of 56 commonly mutated and clinically-relevant oncology genes

Speaker

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Andrew Benjamin Nixon, PhD, MBA
Associate Professor of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine

Andrew Nixon, PhD, MBA is Director of the Phase I Biomarker Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center. The laboratory brings together clinical, translational and basic research to pursue the development of novel biomarkers defining mechanisms of sensitivity, resistance, and toxicity to given therapeutic drug classes, particularly angiogenesis inhibitors, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and novel immunotherapies. Importantly, the laboratory has been appointed as a Molecular Reference Laboratory for blood-based biomarkers for the Alliance Oncology Cooperative Group, a national clinical trial research group sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, and our group has helped to pioneer the analysis of blood-based angiogenesis factors in Cooperative group trials.  Multiplex ELISA, gene expression arrays, and next generation sequencing are used to analyze serially collected blood and paraffin samples archived from cancer patient clinical trials. This work has the potential to improve the efficacy and toxicity of current therapies and to guide the development of the next generation of therapies for cancer.

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