ArcherDX expands blood-based mutation assay portfolio with new myeloid panels

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ArcherDX, the leader in NGS-based gene fusion detection assays, today launched the Archer® VariantPlex® Core Myeloid panel, which is used to analyze variants in 37 genes critical in myeloid malignancies. The launch of this focused panel will be followed shortly by the VariantPlex Myeloid panel that includes all Core Myeloid targets plus another 35 genes for a total of 72 myeloid-derived cancer targets for users with a wider scope of interest.

"What differentiates these assays from others in the space is an unprecedented level of confidence in mutation detection due to molecular barcoded reads. Users can characterize noise and determine the true sensitivity and specificity of every possible variant in these myeloid panels," says Dr. Brian Kudlow, Vice-President of R&D at ArcherDX. "Together with error correction, this permits users to make confident variant calls at or below the limits of sequencer noise."

These panels also feature state-of-the-art detection of FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITDs), variants that are present in more than 20% of AML cases and are challenging to detect in NGS data. "The myeloid panels utilize flexible Anchored Multiplex PCR (AMP™) enrichment chemistry to bidirectionally cover the target region and, when present, assemble ITDs de novo prior to annotation," says Dr. Kudlow. "This means that users are effectively unhindered by size or integration site. We've put it to the test with thousands of in-silico ITDs and dozens of true positive samples".

In addition to FLT3-ITDs, the panels feature high unique-molecule coverage across the entire exon of CEPBA. Other key regions and mutations such as CALR indels in myeloproliferative neoplasms have been extensively tested, demonstrating that the panels exhibit a high degree of sensitivity.

As with all Archer assays, users can easily customize these myeloid panels. "Our knowledge of the mutational landscape in blood cancers is continually evolving, and unfortunately, NGS assays historically have not been very amenable to panel modifications," says Dr. Kudlow. "AMP is a very flexible chemistry, so users can easily add new genes to these myeloid panels based on the latest research without detriment to the panel's underlying performance."

VariantPlex assays are provided in 8-strip, single-use lyophilized library preparation reagents that require no master mixes, thus minimizing hands-on-time and reducing the risk of contamination and user error. All assays include access to Archer Analysis, which provides robust error correction, cohort-based noise characterization, and advanced mutation filtering and reporting.

"The field is ready for a new standard in myeloid mutation detection, and we're happy to announce that it's here," states Dr. Jason Myers, CEO and co-founder of ArcherDX.

Learn more about Archer myeloid panels at archerdx.com/myeloid.

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. These panels are not for sale in Germany.

About ArcherDX
ArcherDX addresses the bottlenecks associated with using NGS in oncogenic mutation detection by offering a robust platform for targeted sequencing. By combining proprietary AMP™ chemistry with easy-to-use, lyophilized reagents, Archer NGS assays generate highly enriched sequencing libraries to detect gene fusions, point mutations, CNVs and RNA abundance from solid tumors, blood cancers, sarcomas and liquid biopsies. Complemented by powerful bioinformatics software, ArcherDX technology dramatically enhances complex mutation identification and discovery. ArcherDX is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

SOURCE ArcherDX

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http://www.archerdx.com