Thermo Fisher Partners with NCI for Myeloid Cancer Research

This initiative focuses on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aiming to improve treatment options through next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

In a significant advancement for myeloid cancer research, Thermo Fisher Scientific has partnered with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to enhance the precision medicine umbrella trial, myeloMATCH. 

This initiative focuses on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aiming to improve treatment options through next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

Thermo Fisher's collaboration with NCI aims to streamline the matching of AML and MDS patients with clinical trials tailored to their genetic profiles. By using Thermo Fisher’s NGS technology to test patients’ bone marrow and blood samples, researchers can more quickly identify specific genetic biomarkers. 

This enables faster enrolment of patients into appropriate clinical trials that target the mutations identified in their samples.

Dr Harry P Erba, chair of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) Leukaemia Committee and co-chair of the myeloMATCH Senior Science Council, highlighted the trial's innovative approach. 

He said, “myeloMATCH breaks new ground in many ways, not least by assembling a portfolio of sub-studies to treat patients with specific subtypes of AML and MDS through all stages of their treatment journey.”
He added, “Many more treatment options are available for people with AML and MDS than just 5-10 years ago, and many more targeted therapies are being developed. However, choosing the best treatment option for our patients requires knowledge of the genetic changes underlying the disease, which vary between patients. This information is needed quickly to begin effective therapy for very aggressive cancers.’’

Ion Torrent Genexus System

Central to the myeloMATCH initiative is the Ion Torrent Genexus System, a turnkey NGS solution that automates the specimen-to-report workflow. 

It is designed to deliver results in a single day with minimal user intervention, this system accelerates the process of genetic profiling and matching patients with suitable clinical trials.

Furthermore, the NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis has established cooperative research and development agreements with numerous pharmaceutical companies to provide various drugs supporting myeloMATCH. 

This, according to the company, facilitates multiple treatment sub-studies tailored to specific genomic types, potentially driving the development of new therapies.

Sharing insights, John Sos, senior VP and president of life sciences solutions at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, “myeloMATCH is an immense step forward for patients with aggressive and rapidly advancing cancers who need better treatment options. Using the Genexus System, clinical teams across sites can quickly match eligible patients with the right trials to ultimately better understand the clinical impact of these therapies. By helping to expedite this process, we can ensure that more patients have access to appropriate precision oncology treatments.”

Comprehensive Genomic Testing & Research Network

Per the process, patient samples will be sequenced in the myeloMATCH Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Network (MDNet) using the Genexus System and reagents, along with the Oncomine-based NCI Myeloid Assay. 

This approach, approved under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE), assigns participants to myeloMATCH treatment studies and has received Investigational New Drug authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration.

MDNet sites at the Molecular Characterisation Laboratory, part of the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre in Seattle are funded by NCI for this activity. 

“Our partnership with Thermo Fisher allows us to obtain the required genomic profiling rapidly and begin therapies specific for each subtype of the disease. Through this personalized approach to treatment, we believe we will increase the number of people who are leukemia survivors,” Dr Erba.

Since 1996, when Thermo Fisher established its operations in India, the company has strengthened its presence with eight manufacturing facilities, five application labs, two R&D centers, and eight distribution centers.