Illumina's TruSight Tumor 170 is a next-generation sequencing-based panel designed to detect a comprehensive set of variants across 170 genes. Now, the company has partnered with IBM's Watson Genomics to standardize and simplify genomic data interpretation in cancer research.
According to FierceBiotech, this integration will allow scientists to interpret data more quickly and comprehensively. In their statement, the companies said that in just a matter of minutes, the Watson Genomics will read the genetic alteration files produced by TruSight Tumor 170.
Genomic Basis Of A Tumor Is Vital In Understanding A Patient's Disease
IBM and Illumina's collaboration aims to get doctors outside major cancer centers like Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York or M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to try to scan patients' DNA, Forbes reported. DNA test results can be used to help patients who don't have any options to find treatment that might help them.
The genomic basis of a tumor can be important for understanding the patient's disease is a major aspect of precision medicine. The output of sequencing panels, however, requires sophisticated analyses to help identify the mutations responsible for cancer growth and then correlate that information with potential standard and experimental treatment options.
Watson For Genomics Aims To Deliver 'Rapid Turnaround' Of The Genomic Alteration Results
That's going to change with Watson for Genomics. Francis deSouza, President and CEO of Illumina, said that to enable precision cancer medicine on a large scale, new tools are needed to overcome the data barriers of genomic research. "With a comprehensive assay of Illumina and the power of Watson, we hope to deliver a rapid turnaround of the genomic alteration results," deSouza added.
Watson is the first-ever commercially available cognitive computing capability. The system - which is delivered through the cloud - analyzes high volumes of data, understands complex questions posed in natural language, and proposes evidence-based answers. Watson continuously learns, gaining in value and knowledge over time, from previous interactions.
