24 jul 2019
Cyclomics founders Alessio Marcozzi and Jeroen de Ridder were featured in GenomeWeb, discussing CyclomicsSeq technology for detecting cancer mutations in circulating tumor DNA. The article details the company's structure, ongoing clinical trials for TP53 mutations in head and neck cancer, and future plans for clinical validation and commercialization of their affordable, point-of-care diagnostic platform.
A recent article on GenomeWeb, one of the most read genomics news website, has featured an interview with Cyclomics founders Alessio Marcozzi and Jeroen de Ridder. The news item – which can be read in full on GenomeWeb – provides a comprehensive overview of the CyclomicsSeq technology for detection of cancer mutations in circulating tumor DNA. The article further describes the current Cyclomics company structure as well as the plans towards clinical validation of CyclomicsSeq technology in the context of treatment response monitoring and detection of recurring disease in head and neck cancer patients. Combining rolling circle amplification with Oxford Nanopore's MinION sequencer. Initially targeting TP53 mutations in head and neck cancer, CyclomicsSeq is under clinical trial to monitor treatment response and recurrence. Founded by Jeroen de Ridder, Wigard Kloosterman, and Alessio Marcozzi, Cyclomics leverages long-read sequencing for high sensitivity and low-cost diagnostics. The technology shows potential beyond TP53, aiming to tackle various cancers, with future plans for commercializing research and clinical assays.
CyclomicsSeq's approach allows for the detection of low-frequency mutations without prior knowledge, contrasting with PCR-based tests. The MinION sequencer's affordability and portability make it suitable for point-of-care settings.
The ongoing clinical trial at UMC Utrecht and the Netherlands Cancer Institute involves patients with advanced head and neck cancer, with promising preliminary results indicating high sensitivity in detecting recurring cancer.
Cyclomics is also focusing on further improvements in basecalling to enhance test sensitivity and accuracy. The technology stands out for its combination of DNA circle generation and long-read Nanopore sequencing, offering advantages over other liquid biopsy methods. Cyclomics plans to expand its platform to other genes and cancer types, with an EGFR test and a genome-wide test in development. With the aim to secure additional funding, Cyclomics is looking towards commercialization and broader clinical application.