Illumina announced the launch of TruSight Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive (EU), a single test that assesses multiple tumour genes and biomarkers to reveal the specific molecular profile of a patient's cancer.  With its global launch first taking place in Europe, the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit will help inform precision medicine decisions for cancer patients across the continent.

This new in vitro diagnostic (IVD) comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) kit covers a broad range of mutations and current and emerging biomarkers associated with the European Society for Medical Oncology guidelines, drug labels and clinical trials, maximizing the chances of finding actionable information from each patient's biopsy. Conventional tests, such as single biomarker tests and targeted hotspot panels, are limited in the number of targets they analyze which increases the chances of missing critical information.

"This groundbreaking and accurate diagnostic kit provide information clinicians can use to help match their patients to available therapies according to clinical guidelines or clinical trials, based on their tumour profile," says Kevin Keegan, General Manager for Oncology at Illumina. "At Illumina, we are proud to be bringing innovations like this to market, and to be at the forefront of unlocking the power of the genome for human benefit."

"The most pressing challenge we face in profiling biomarkers from tumour samples is the ability to keep up with the pace of new biomarkers linked to new therapies and clinical trials," says Rhian White, Consultant Clinical Scientist at the All Wales Medical Genomics Services, Cardiff, UK. "We need a testing platform that can assess all these biomarkers, while at the same time preserving limited biopsy specimen. Comprehensive genomic profiling has proven to be this platform."

TSO Comprehensive (EU) is the first CE (Conformité Européenne)-marked IVD kit for CGP based on DNA and RNA content, having met important European standards for quality and efficacy. 

"Clinicians are increasingly matching the genetics of a patient's cancer with their therapy," explains Phil Febbo, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Illumina. "When a medical center internalizes comprehensive genomic profiling of cancer, the multidisciplinary team includes a molecular pathologist who has more control over the biopsy sample and data generated and can increase the number of informed cases they are able to deliver. Evidence suggests when this happens, more patients have access to CGP and precision medicine earlier on in their disease journey."