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Cancer research

New Liquid Biopsy Technology Shows Promise in Diagnosing Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers in Singapore have made significant advancements in the diagnosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer using a new liquid biopsy technology. The study, conducted by a team from Tan Tock Seng Hospital, evaluated the performance of a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA) liquid biopsy, LiquidHALLMARK (LHM), in comparison to tissue next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Guardant360 CDx (G360 ctDNA) liquid biopsy. The results showed that LHM ctDNA detected 11.4% fewer biomarker-positive patients than tissue NGS, but established noninferiority to G360 ctDNA.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to evaluate the performance of a new liquid biopsy technology, LiquidHALLMARK (LHM), in diagnosing metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
  • LHM ctDNA detected 11.4% fewer biomarker-positive patients than tissue NGS, but established noninferiority to G360 ctDNA.
  • Incorporation of ctRNA into LHM ctDNA improved the diagnostic yield of actionable, tissue NGS-confirmed gene rearrangements.
  • The new technology had a shorter turnaround time (TAT) compared to tissue NGS, with a mean of 9.7 days versus 21.7 days.
  • The study found that LHM ctDNA was concordant with tissue NGS in 72.1% of patients, and with G360 ctDNA in 66.1% of patients.
  • The research was supported by Lucence Health Inc.
  • The study was conducted across the United States and Singapore, and enrolled patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Statistics:

  • 48.2% of patients detected by LHM ctDNA had biomarkers, compared to 59.6% detected by tissue NGS (P = .001).
  • LHM ctDNA and G360 ctDNA were concordant in 72.1% and 66.1% of patients, respectively.
  • The turnaround time for LHM ctDNA was 9.7 days, compared to 21.7 days for tissue NGS (P < .001).
  • The study found that incorporation of ctRNA into LHM ctDNA improved the diagnostic yield of actionable gene rearrangements by 11.1%.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Findings from Tan Tock Seng Hospital [Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating a Combined Circulating Tumor Dna and Circulating Tumor Rna Liquid Biopsy In Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (Liquik)]. Health & Medicine Week. August 1, 2025; p 3348.
  • Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating a Combined Circulating Tumor Dna and Circulating Tumor Rna Liquid Biopsy In Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (Liquik). JCO Precision Oncology, 2025;9(9).

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