Bionano Genomics Advances Cancer Research with Groundbreaking Study
In a significant stride for cancer research, Bionano Genomics, Inc. has recently published a groundbreaking study in the journal Cancers. This research, a collaborative effort involving the NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Scripps MD Anderson in La Jolla, California, represents a potential pioneering use of optical genome mapping (OGM) to identify structural variants (SVs) that affect drug resistance and sensitivity in cancer.
The study meticulously analyzed 26 leukemia samples from 23 subjects, which included post-relapse samples. The researchers aimed to enhance the understanding of SVs in leukemia by comparing genome variation signatures from OGM with those obtained through traditional cytogenetic methods such as karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A comprehensive cell viability and drug screening assay using a collection of 120 cancer drugs, some experimental and others in phase III trials, was conducted to discern the resistance or sensitivity of leukemia-enriched cell collections to varying drug concentrations.
OGM not only successfully identified all SVs pinpointed by classical methods but also discovered additional variants that had not been previously reported. For example, leukemia samples with BCR-ABL1 translocations were found to be sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Nilotinib, yet resistant to proteasome inhibitors. Moreover, the study brought to light drug sensitivities linked to previously unreported genomic rearrangements, such as sensitivities to microtubule disruptors in samples with KMT2A translocations.
The integration of OGM in detecting SVs, along with drug sensitivity data, has proven to be an invaluable method in pinpointing SVs that could be pivotal in driving drug sensitivity or resistance. This novel approach pave the way for new treatment strategies for leukemia by identifying chemosensitivity associations with SVs that were undetectable using traditional methods.
Erik Holmlin, PhD, the president and chief executive officer of Bionano, shared his excitement about the research, highlighting its potential to assist in biomarker discovery and enhance pharmaceutical development. The company’s mission is to transform the global perception of the genome through its OGM solutions, diagnostic services, and software. Bionano provides OGM solutions for various research applications and conducts diagnostic testing for autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities through its Lineagen, Inc. dba Bionano Laboratories business. The company also offers a software solution that integrates next-generation sequencing and microarray data for a comprehensive genomic analysis.
The recent study by Bionano Genomics has underscored the effectiveness of OGM in detecting structural variants critical to understanding cancer drug resistance and sensitivity. This research not only deepens the knowledge of leukemia at the genomic level but also heralds the possibility of developing more targeted treatment strategies. The firm’s contribution to the field of personalized medicine is a testament to its commitment to improving patient outcomes in the face of the complexities of cancer.
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