Cancer cell monitoring startup Altum Sequencing has developed a tool that uses a simple blood sample for monitoring treatment response in individuals with solid tumours.
The company is based in the C3N-IA Science Park at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Spain.
According to the university, the study detailed the tool鈥檚 effectiveness, highlighting that although many individuals with hormone receptor+ (HR+) breast cancer respond well initially, there is a relapse rate of up to 40%.
By utilising the developed technology and examining circulating tumour DNA, researchers have succeeded in predicting the occurrence of clinical relapses as much as 68 months earlier than what conventional methods could reveal.
The process for the early detection of relapses starts with obtaining an initial tumour biopsy.
From this sample, patient-specific mutations are determined. Subsequently, blood tests are analysed for the presence of these specific mutations in the circulating tumour DNA.
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By GlobalDataThis approach is not limited to breast cancer; it is applicable to any solid tumour type, and researchers are seeking regulatory approvals in the US and Europe to make it globally accessible.
Altum Sequencing president Joaqu铆n Mart铆nez-L贸pez said: 鈥淥ur goal is not to diagnose cancer, but to provide physicians with an effective tool to monitor the evolution of the disease after treatment.
鈥淐urrent diagnostic tools have sensitivity limitations, which makes early detection of these relapses difficult, but thanks to NGS (next generation sequencing) DNA sequencing technology, we can detect one tumour cell among a million healthy cells from a simple blood sample.鈥�
The startup is also exploring the integration of generative AI. It has already incorporated machine learning algorithms and now aims to utilise this new technology to further enhance its diagnostic processes.
The company has received backing from the Community of Madrid, the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation, and the European Regional Development Fund.
It is also partnering with hospitals and research centres, including the Gregorio Mara帽贸n Hospital and Universidad Complutense.
