In a significant leap forward for precision oncology, Personalis, Inc., a frontrunner in advanced genomics, is set to showcase groundbreaking data on its NeXT Personal® assay at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, from April 5-10, 2024. This whole genome-based, tumor-informed assay represents a pioneering approach in the ultra-sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), carrying the potential to revolutionize the early detection and monitoring of cancer.

The NeXT Personal® assay is at the forefront of detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), a critical factor in the effective management and treatment of cancer patients. Personalis’ initiative in presenting their latest findings at AACR 2024 underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing precision medicine in oncology, aiming to detect cancer recurrence and guide therapy selection with unprecedented sensitivity and specificity.

The data to be presented involves a range of collaborative research and clinical outcomes. A highlight includes a mini-symposium on liquid biopsy, where Dr. Christoffer Gebhardt will discuss how ultra-sensitive ctDNA detection using the NeXT Personal assay predicts the response to immune checkpoint inhibition in advanced melanoma patients. This compelling evidence suggests that tracking ctDNA dynamics could offer a predictive tool for patient response and outcomes, particularly noting that over a third of the ctDNA detections in advanced melanoma patients fell within the ultra-sensitive range (<100 PPM).

Further presentations will illuminate the assay’s broad applicability across different cancer types. For instance, its use in predicting survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with a personalized therapeutic DNA cancer vaccine, combined with immune-checkpoint blockade, demonstrates the assay’s potential in guiding treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Analytical validation of the NeXT Personal assay reaffirms its ultra-sensitivity, capable of detecting ctDNA down to 1 PPM. This level of detection precision is vital for early cancer recurrence identification, offering hope for interventions at stages when treatments can be most effective.

Additionally, data from a biopharma partner blinded study showcases the NeXT Personal assay’s capability to detect ultra-low levels of ctDNA, further establishing its utility in the precise and early detection of MRD.

Personalis, Inc., based in Fremont, California, is at the vanguard of transforming cancer management through personalized testing. The company’s dedication to propelling a new paradigm in cancer care, from diagnosis through the patient’s journey, is evident in its development of highly sensitive assays. These assays not only facilitate the detection of MRD and recurrence at the earliest stages but also enable the selection of targeted therapies grounded in ultra-comprehensive genomic profiling.

As the AACR 2024 Annual Meeting draws near, the anticipation around the presentations by Personalis builds. The NeXT Personal assay’s promise in enhancing the precision and effectiveness of cancer treatment heralds a new era in oncology, one where personalized medicine leads the charge in conquering the challenges posed by cancer. This advancement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing pursuit of innovation in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, with the potential to significantly impact patient care and outcomes.