US company Inocras has announced the successful clinical validation of its CancerVision target enhanced whole genome sequencing (TE-WGS) technology.
TE-WGS is an advanced genomic testing method that combines WGS with targeted enrichment techniques to focus on specific regions of the genome known to be clinically relevant in cancer. The approach doesn’t sequence the entire genome – like traditional WGS – but instead prioritises areas with high clinical value.
In comparison with Illumina’s widely used TSO500 assay, CancerVision achieved 100% concordance, detecting 498 variants identified by TSO500 in a cohort of 49 cancer patients. Additionally, CancerVision differentiated between germline (44.8%) and somatic (55.2%) variants and identified six deletions which TSO500 did not.
The study also provided data on copy number variants (CNVs), gene fusions, microsatellite instability (MSI), and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). This can provide information critical for selecting targeted therapies, predicting treatment responses, and understanding tumour behaviour. Inocras’ CancerVision tech is said to analyse the “whole genomic makeup” of patients’ cancer, and identify genetic changes not picked up in other genetic tests, as per the company website.
The genetic sequencing company has announced several deals this year, teaming up with IMBdx in May to bring IMBdx’s liquid biopsy-based cancer diagnostics to the US market. In June, it also struck a partnership with Massive Bio, where the companies said they will offer genetic testing while simultaneously offering support for clinical trial matching to patients and healthcare providers.
Inocras’ CEO Jehee Suh said: “With superior accuracy and deeper insights, CancerVision delivers all the critical information TSO500 provides—plus much more—at the same or even lower cost. We’re giving patients a truly comprehensive view of their cancer, equipping clinicians with a powerful tool to guide treatment decisions.”
Genetic sequencing has been hitting the headlines recently. DNA ancestry test company 23andMe has been subject to a whirlwind of data privacy issues since it was hacked in 2023, compromising data in DNA relatives and family tree profiles. Last month, the company reached a settlement of $30m for the nearly seven million customers whose personal information was breached. However, the future of 23andme is uncertain, with its revenues steeply declining ever since.
In a more positive light, the England’s National Health Service (NHS) last week announced a study which will offer whole genome sequencing to newborns using blood samples typically collected from their umbilical cord shortly after birth. The Generation study is set to screen up to 100,000 newborn babies for over 200 rare diseases.
