A group of researchers led by geneticist Jeremy R. Wang, PhD, of the UNC School of Medicine and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, has created a new way for oncologists to more sensitively detect genetic mutations in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common type of pediatric cancer.
A paper detailing the tool was published in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
The tool, termed FUSILLI (FUSions In Leukemia for Long-read sequencing Investigator) uses an advanced algorithm to pinpoint the exact genetic changes that led to a patient's cancer. This gives physicians the ability to more accurately match treatments to the specific type of B-ALL that patients have, improving patient outcomes and keeping costs at a minimum.
Jeremy Wang, PhD
"With the development of FUSILLI, we show the potential of using a single low-cost sequencing assay for diagnosing gene fusion subtypes of B-ALL, with faster turnaround time," said Wang. "Modern genomic subtyping in pediatric B-ALL informs risk-stratification and targeted therapy, improving treatment response rate and reducing unnecessary treatment-related toxicity.
FUSILLI performs a technical process called long-read sequencing, which looks at large pieces of RNA, and is more sensitive and accurate for detecting genetic changes compared to short-read sequencing technology. The sequencing technology has dramatically lower costs and much faster turnaround time, making it particularly advantageous in resource-limited diagnostic settings.
This study was supported by the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Cancer Research Fund, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, Reelin' for Research, and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers: R01CA293366, T32GM135132, U10CA180820, UG1CA232760, and UG1CA189859.
