Improving the Cancer Care with Innovative ctDNA Analysis

The OncNGS consortium is excited to announce the publication of its manuscript, detailing the development of new liquid biopsy next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests through the OncNGS PCP initiative.

Liquid biopsy, particularly the analysis of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), is transforming cancer care by providing reliable diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications. However, challenges such as insufficient sensitivity, difficult interpretation of results, slow turnaround time, limited flexibility, and high costs have hindered its wider adoption.

To tackle these issues, the OncNGS consortium, comprising academic, public, and private hospitals, along with several supporting entities, launched a European pre-commercial procurement. The consortium defined the requirements for ctDNA diagnostic testing, conducted market consultations, and invited suppliers to research and develop comprehensive and affordable solutions that integrate laboratory processes, reporting into a single procedure and offering quick turnaround time.

The OncNGS initiative, launched in January 2020, aims to drive the delivery of novel solutions to standardise ctDNA testing and reporting across European Union countries, improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. The pre-commercial procurement is structured into three competitive phases, ensuring thorough research, development and evaluation.

“OncNGS leverages this initiative to develop cost-efficient, cutting-edge solutions for ctDNA testing using NGS technology that will ultimately improve precision in cancer diagnostics and facilitate personalized treatment strategies,” said Gordana Raicevic Toungouz, lead author of the paper.

The OncNGS project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, demonstrate how collaboration within the liquid biopsy ecosystem can effectively trigger innovation in healthcare. Read the full paper here to learn more about our journey and achievements in transforming cancer care through advanced DNA analysis.