CARLSBAD, Calif., June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific today announced the launch of its Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay, a new next-generation sequencing (NGS) solution for immuno-oncology research designed to characterize T-cell clonality in the tumor microenvironment – a key approach to identify potential biomarkers associated with immune response. The latest addition to the Oncomine product portfolio is being featured at the European Association of Cancer Research (EACR25) conference (booth #53-54) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 30-July 3, when the company will also host a symposium featuring customer presentations on the latest advancements in immuno-oncology and liquid biopsy clinical research.

Scientists believe that harnessing the power of T-cell receptor diversity through a targeted sequencing approach provides the highest level of resolution to help identify predictive and prognostic biomarkers associated with cancer immunotherapy, monitor toxicity, treatment resistance and optimize the manufacture and function of therapeutic T-cells. Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay is designed to specifically interrogate the CDR3 region of the beta chain of the T-cell receptor, a region that is responsible for antigen recognition and important in uniquely identifying T-cell clones.

The assay's utilization of dual barcode indexing also enables identification of low-frequency clones which has the potential for tracking minimal residual disease. Interrogation of data obtained with the Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay (SR = Short Read) is optimized for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples.

A unique feature of Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay design is its flexibility for translational researchers to use either DNA or RNA input without interference from primer bias while returning results within 48 hours on the Ion GeneStudio S5 Series instruments and Ion Torrent analysis solutions. When coupled with the Oncomine TCR Beta-LR Assay (LR = Long Read), researchers can achieve a comprehensive range of TCR beta sequencing applications, including TRBV allele typing, clonality association to immune response and engineered T-cell monitoring.

"TCR sequencing is an essential tool for fingerprinting T-cell responses in cancer," said Noel de Miranda, Ph.D., department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands. "The Oncomine TCR Beta-LR Assay excels by delivering the full CDR sequences in a single sequencing read. We are currently applying it for the characterization of neo-antigen-specific T-cells and for the improvement of immunotherapeutic modalities."

EACR25 Symposium Presentations
Thermo Fisher is also hosting a symposium during EACR25 that will feature key customer thought leaders and scientists in immuno-oncology and liquid biopsy research beginning at 1 pm, July 1 at the RAI Conference Center in Room G103. Topics and speakers include:

• "Current practice, needs and future directions immuno-oncology research testing," Professor Jose Carlos Machada, Ph.D., Board of Directors member and Group Coordinator, IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal.
• "Fingerprinting immune responses and improving immunotherapies with TCR sequencing," Noel de Miranda, Ph.D., department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.
• "Liquid biopsies sensitive detection in cfDNA in breast and lung," Professor Jacqui Shaw, Ph.D., Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Leicester, UK.
• "An Innovative multi-dimensional NGS approach to understanding the tumor microenvironment and evolution," Jim H. Godsey, Ph.D., Vice President, R&D Clinical Sequencing at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

For more information on Oncomine TCR Beta-SR Assay, stop by Thermo Fisher's booth (#53-54) at EACR25 June 30-July 3, or visit here.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

Media Contact Information:

Mauricio Minotta                                                            
+1 760 929 2456                                                                                                                
+1 760 805 5266 (mobile)                                                                                             
mauricio.minotta@thermofisher.com

SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific