Transgenomic completes licensing option with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

According to Transgenomic, this variation of the standard PCR technology enriches mutations in samples where normal DNA predominates. Cold-PCR was invented at Dana-Farber by Mike Makrigiorgos who has demonstrated its effectiveness in enriching for mutations in cancer-related genes in samples where DNA sequencing cannot detect very low concentrations of somatic DNA mutation.

Cold-PCR will have applicability in detection of cancer-related mutations where critical mutations are present at a very low percentage compared to normal DNA. Examples would be in blood and urine or where the tissue collected contains mostly normal cells. This would allow clinicians to use less intrusive methods for genetic analysis or allow more efficient use of tumor tissue samples. Additionally, the method could enhance the detection of the emergence of cancer-drug resistance mutations, allowing early detection of relapse, the company said.

Craig Tuttle, Transgenomic’s CEO, said: “We believe that Cold-PCR is an important addition to our high-sensitivity mutation detection portfolio of cutting edge technologies. It will allow us to continue to be able to offer affordable, state-of-the-art solutions to challenging areas of genetic analysis such as early detection of cancer development, drug resistance and relapse as well as expanding our mitochondrial DNA toolbox.”