51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø has partnered with healthcare company DNA Electronics (DNAe) to develop a new platform for monitoring breast cancer.

The technology could enable earlier detection of recurrent or unresponsive cancer by bringing genomic analysis out of specialist laboratories and to the point of need, where it would be used to detect and sequence tumour DNA from blood samples.

The partnership will make use of research into biomarkers – molecules found in the blood that can signal the progression of disease – carried out at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and the University of Leicester. By combining this research with ’s proprietary ‘sample to answer’ technology, the aim is to develop a test that can return results within hours.

Charles Coombes, Professor of Medical Oncology at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, said: “Cancer monitoring is a vital component of successful treatment. Firstly, we need to ensure a patient’s tumor is responding to the therapy, and secondly, patients in remission must be monitored for signs of recurrence. The current monitoring options are slow, and any delays to appropriate cancer care can lower the chance of survival and increase treatment-associated problems and costs. Although we are at the early stages, I believe that DNAe’s integrated, sequencing-based platform could ultimately provide rapid, actionable information that saves patients’ lives.”

Knowledge transfer

51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s collaboration with DNAe has been formalised in a (KTP) awarded by as part of a programme that connects innovative businesses with academic experts who can help deliver their ideas. Under the partnership, a postgraduate researcher will be based at DNAe to integrate expertise from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and the University of Leicester into the development of the test.

The KTP will build on an existing collaboration between Professor Coombes in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Department of Surgery and Cancer and from the University of Leicester, who is also a Visiting Professor at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. It will also build on existing ties between 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and DNAe, which has labs in the White City Campus and was co-founded in 2003 by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Professor Chris Toumazou using research carried out at the College.

Samuel Reed, CEO of DNAe, said: “Recognizing that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re delighted to formally announce our collaboration with world experts Professors Coombes and Shaw who bring their extensive knowledge of using circulating tumor DNA to manage the treatment of breast cancers. Through this KTP award, we will be able to harness that deep expertise and combine it with our proven diagnostic technology.”

Professor Jacqui Shaw, Head of the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the University of Leicester added: “This is an exciting collaboration with DNAe and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, where we will combine our expertise to develop a rapid integrated liquid biopsy platform for management of patients with breast cancer.”