Research & Publications

Researchers at the Broad Institute demonstrated that various sample parameters, such as dog breed and tube type, significantly affect cfDNA measurements. They also confirmed that cfDNA is highly responsive to changes in the animal's health.

This study strengthens the case for using cfDNA testing in veterinary diagnostics, highlighting its responsiveness and the need for standardised sampling methods in clinical settings.

PetDX's analysis demonstrated that cfDNA can provide valuable diagnostic information in dogs. However, the chosen methodology was costly and required too much blood as starting material, highlighting the need for more economical approaches to make large-scale cfDNA analysis feasible.

Confirms that cfDNA is a useful diagnostic tool in veterinary contexts, paving the way for more affordable and efficient cfDNA-based methods in animal health diagnostics.

A multi-institutional study led by GRAIL with participation from Mayo Clinic and Francis Crick Institute found that methylation sequencing outperformed other techniques, even when using bisulfite sequencing which reduces the original sample by 90%. Advances like enzymatic methylation sequencing and digital PCR were not included but are expected to yield even better results.

Underscores the importance of methylation analysis in cfDNA diagnostics, validating its accuracy and setting a high standard for future veterinary applications in early disease detection.

Oncologists reviewed how early each cancer type is typically detected and what the prognosis is. They concluded that earlier cancer detection can significantly influence treatment efficiency and patient survival.

Underscores the potential benefits of early detection, hinting at cfDNA's role in transforming veterinary diagnostics by enabling earlier interventions. A similar assessment is needed in dogs to identify cancers most benefiting from early detection.

This study validated the approach of using the genomic mapping of cfDNA fragments relative to known CpG islands to identify genes that are activated or silenced in cancers.

Supports cfDNA's capability to identify cancer-specific gene regulation patterns, emphasising its diagnostic potential for both human and veterinary oncology.

A systematic review found no reliable link between imaging results after cancer treatment and patient survival, suggesting that traditional imaging may not be a dependable prognostic tool.

Underlines the potential benefit of cfDNA as a prognostic marker, advocating for its integration into diagnostic protocols to provide more accurate prediction of outcomes compared to conventional imaging methods.

Two Danish studies demonstrated that cfDNA analysis through digital PCR (dPCR) provides more accurate prognostic data compared to imaging. This method enhances the guidance of treatment choices by offering more reliable insights into cancer progression. A larger study (RECIST) is currently underway to further validate these findings.

Reinforces cfDNA's role in improving cancer prognosis and personalised treatment, suggesting similar applications could significantly benefit veterinary diagnostics by offering more precise data than traditional methods.