US-based blood-based cancer detection test developer Delfi Diagnostics has introduced the new DELFI-Tumor Fraction (DELFI-TF) assay.

DELFI-TF is a fragmentome-based, research-use-only (RUO) test designed for the non-invasive measurement of tumour burden.

This assay is expected to play a crucial role in assessing treatment response and resistance in advanced cancer patients.

The test is noted for its high sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, marking a significant advancement in cancer monitoring.

Concurrently, the company has entered into a research collaboration with Immunocore to evaluate the DELFI-TF assay's potential for early prediction of treatment benefits from ImmTAC-based therapies.

ImmTAC molecules represent a new class of bispecific T cell receptor immunotherapies targeting cancer.

Delfi Diagnostics co-founder and chief scientific officer Nicholas Dracopoli said: “The DELFI-TF assay delivers a genome-wide measure of the proportion of cfDNA derived from a tumour and it is highly correlated with the mutant allele fraction (MAF) that is often used to evaluate treatment response and resistance to immunotherapies in advanced cancer patients.

“Our fragmentome-based assay has numerous advantages as it requires very little plasma, has a low cost of processing, and is not confounded by clonal haematopoiesis or driver mutation switches.

“We are excited that Immunocore will be further exploring the clinical and research potential of the DELFI liquid biopsy platform as a new approach to monitoring treatment response.”

The DELFI-TF RUO assay is also currently under evaluation by various entities within the pharmaceutical industry for its potential to further healthcare discoveries.

The company anticipates the announcement of additional research collaborations shortly.

Last month, Delfi appointed Susan Tousi as the new CEO, bringing her extensive experience from a decade-long tenure at Illumina, where she served in multiple leadership roles, including chief commercial officer.