Lucence, DXD Hub, and NCCS launch $6m UNITED 2.0 cancer test

The team will adopt a dual WES-WTS approach for more detailed tumour profiling.

Lucence, Diagnostics Development Hub hosted by A*STAR, and the National Cancer Centre Singapore have launched UNITED 2.0, a $6m research collaboration to develop a next-generation, clinical-grade cancer profiling test.

The initiative builds on the original UNITED 1.0 tissue test, which analysed tumour and tissue samples across 572 genes and 71 RNA fusions using both DNA and RNA signals.

UNITED 2.0 will adopt a dual whole-exome sequencing and whole transcriptome sequencing approach to provide more detailed tumour profiling.

The team will also use artificial intelligence to streamline the analysis and reporting of the genomic data generated.

The clinical-grade test will cover a broad range of cancers, including breast, lung, colon, bladder, CNS tumours, and lymphoma.

The collaboration also plans to develop post-treatment monitoring tools, including minimal residual disease testing to detect early signs of cancer recurrence.