Abstract 5356: Validation of a clinically actionable cancer core gene test for solid tumors facilitating targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy
Authors: Ma Lin , Hua Michael , Rivera Steven , Gerasimova Anna , Nguyen Quoclinh , Sunkara Sirisha , Lagier Robert , Smolgovsky Alla , Wolfson David , Taylor Jared F. , Racke Frederick , Strom Charles , Grupe Andrew , Catanese Joseph , Hantash Feras 
Published: July 2017

Molecular profiling of tumor mutations has expedited molecular targeted therapy for cancer patients. Additionally, tumor mutation load and DNA microsatellite instability (MSI) status can help predict patient’s response to immunotherapy. We analytically validated a gene test targeting clinically actionable cancer mutations of all 4 major types: single nucleotide variations (SNVs); insertion/deletions (INDELs); whole gene copy number variations (CNVs); and structural rearrangements (translocations) as well as the MSI status. This test interrogates all coding exons from 49 core cancer genes, introns for a subset of genes selected for detection of prevalent gene rearrangements, and the TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) promoter region. MSI status is determined from a set of 5 intronic mono-nucleotide repeats collectively associated with microsatellite instability. Targeted DNA regions are captured by in-solution hybridization with complementary biotinylated RNA baits and sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq®500 platform. Paired formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples and whole blood samples are analyzed simultaneously for the detection of SNV, INDEL, CNV, translocation and MSI status. FFPE samples can also be analyzed alone if the whole blood sample is not available, eliminating the reporting of MSI status. A minimum of 50 ng FFPE DNA and 100 ng of whole blood DNA are required for this test. A total of 123 FFPE, 2 FFPE FNA samples, 19 paired FFPE and whole blood paired samples covering lung cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma and breast cancer were included in this validation study. Analytical validation of assay performance demonstrated that, on average, 700-fold read depth was achieved across all targeted regions with &gt;95% of these regions covered by a minimum of 300 unique reads. Analytical sensitivity was ≥5% mutation frequency for SNV and INDEL and ≥20% for translocation and CNV. Thirty-eight unique variants were confirmed between this test and orthogonal methodologies: 22 SNVs, 6 INDELs, 5 translocations, and 5 CNV. Fifty-eight out of 59 (98% concordance) paired FFPE/blood samples achieved the same MSI status result with this targeted sequencing approach compared to the reference National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Bethesda PCR test. MSI-positive samples, on average, were determined to have 5-fold higher mutation count compared to MSI-negative samples, consistent with the previously reported higher mutation burden. In conclusion, we have developed and analytically validated a core cancer gene test employing NGS technology with demonstrated high analytical sensitivity and specificity. Coupled with clinical interpretation, this test will facilitate clinical decision-making for molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Citation Format: Lin Ma, Michael Hua, Steven Rivera, Anna Gerasimova, Quoclinh Nguyen, Sirisha Sunkara, Robert Lagier, Alla Smolgovsky, David Wolfson, Jared F. Taylor, Frederick Racke, Charles Strom, Andrew Grupe, Joseph Catanese, Feras Hantash. Validation of a clinically actionable cancer core gene test for solid tumors facilitating targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5356. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5356