Altum Sequencing develops tool to monitor solid tumour treatment response
The company is based in the C3N-IA Science Park at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), Spain.
According to the university, the study detailed the tool's effectiveness, highlighting that although many individuals with hormone receptor+ (HR+) breast cancer respond well initially, there is a relapse rate of up to 40%.
By utilising the developed technology and examining circulating tumour DNA, researchers have succeeded in predicting the occurrence of clinical relapses as much as 68 months earlier than what conventional methods could reveal.
The process for the early detection of relapses starts with obtaining an initial tumour biopsy.
From this sample, patient-specific mutations are determined. Subsequently, blood tests are analysed for the presence of these specific mutations in the circulating tumour DNA.
This approach is not limited to breast cancer; it is applicable to any solid tumour type, and researchers are seeking regulatory approvals in the US and Europe to make it globally accessible.
Altum Sequencing president Joaquín Martínez-López said: 'Our goal is not to diagnose cancer, but to provide physicians with an effective tool to monitor the evolution of the disease after treatment.
'Current diagnostic tools have sensitivity limitations, which makes early detection of these relapses difficult, but thanks to NGS (next generation sequencing) DNA sequencing technology, we can detect one tumour cell among a million healthy cells from a simple blood sample.'
The startup is also exploring the integration of generative AI. It has already incorporated machine learning algorithms and now aims to utilise this new technology to further enhance its diagnostic processes.
The company has received backing from the Community of Madrid, the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation, and the European Regional Development Fund.
It is also partnering with hospitals and research centres, including the Gregorio Marañón Hospital and Universidad Complutense.
"Altum Sequencing develops tool to monitor solid tumour treatment response" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
4 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Tesla Sales Fall in Europe as China's BYD Gains Ground
Tesla continues to post steep sales declines in some of Europe's biggest electric vehicle markets as Chinese rival BYD sees sales pick up in the region. Bloomberg's Stefan Nicola explains what this means for the Elon Musk-led company on 'Bloomberg Tech.' (Source: Bloomberg)
CBS News
33 minutes ago
- CBS News
A cancer diagnosis can cause out-of-pocket costs to surge, even for those with insurance
A cancer diagnosis increases privately insured patients' monthly out-of-pocket costs, which also rise as the disease progresses, new research shows. Out-of-pocket costs jumped by $592.53 per month for the six months after a diagnosis, according to a recent report published in JAMA Open Network. The study underscores the financial toll a cancer diagnosis can take on individuals, even for those who are insured but don't yet qualify for Medicare. While cancer tends to strike later in life, when most patients in treatment are receiving Medicare benefits, a cancer diagnosis can pose an undue financial burden on younger people with private insurance, the report found. Those out-of-pocket costs highlight the need for policy reform, the report said. The research "underscores the need for policies such as paid sick leave that address both insurance continuity and financial assistance, especially for patients with more advanced cancer," the report states. Out-of-pocket costs increased based on a patient's cancer progression, the analysis found. Patients with stage 0 cancer saw their costs rise by $462 per month compared to non-cancer patients, while stage 4 cancer cost people with private insurance an additional $719.97 per month in out of pocket costs. Costs rise as the disease progresses because patients typically require more treatment during cancer's later stages, leading to greater medical expenditures. "This result seems straightforward; later-stage disease is associated with more intensive workup and treatment that can drive higher medical expenditures," the report states. Researchers analyzed medical claims records from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry to compare the out-of-pocket costs of privately insured individuals under the age of 65 who were diagnosed with breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, to those without cancer. New research from the American Cancer Society shows that as more people aged 45-49 undergo screening for colon cancer, more early stage diagnoses are being made.
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Two Days Left to Score Babbel for Life at a Special Price
If you've traveled internationally this summer, you know how helpful it could have been to know the language of where you went. But learning a language can take more time than most of us have, especially if you're starting from scratch. Whether you're looking to learn French, Italian or Portuguese, a Babbel subscription can definitely help. With programs available right on your phone, you'll be speaking another languge before you know it. Thankfully, StackSocial has a limited-time offer for the language learning platform right now. Act soon and you can get a lifetime subscription to Babbel for only $135 when you apply the coupon code LEARN. That'll save you 58% off the usual asking price, and it's the kind of deal that you definitely don't want to sleep on. Unfortunately, this kind of deal expires on Aug. 7, so you only have two days left to pick one up. Babbel's extensive language software includes French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Lessons are short so you won't find yourself overwhelmed with information. Skill levels range from beginner to advanced and the content is self-paced. And it's right at your fingertips, perfect for any busy person. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Babbel's speech recognition software offers instant feedback so you know what you're doing right and where things can be improved, and personalized review sessions help reinforce what you've already learned. The Babbel app works on phones and computers and while you do need an internet connection to get the most out of it, an offline mode provides access to key features if you download them ahead of time. Why this deal matters A lifetime subscription is always a good way to avoid adding another monthly fee to your growing collection and it removes the pressure of putting a restrictive timeline on your learning. Plus, buying lifetime access directly from Babbel would normally cost $599. Even with the current promotion, this StackSocial deal beats the price by a long shot. Just make sure to order your subscription before this deal ends on Aug. 7 and remember that you have only 30 days after your purchase to redeem the subscription. This isn't the lowest price we've seen, but it's only $5 more. For a lifetime of learning, it's hard to beat this limited-time deal. Note: Although this is advertised as a lifetime subscription, there are no guarantees that purchases will be supported for life. As we've seen in the past, a change of ownership, a service shutting down or some other unforeseen circumstance may result in your lifetime subscription ending sooner than anticipated.
