Case Study: Universal DX achieves early cancer detection in blood plasma with Twist Bioscience custom methylation panels

Universal DX achieves 92% colorectal cancer sensitivity with Twist Bioscience

Universal Diagnostics (Universal DX), a biotech company focused on revolutionizing early cancer detection, faced the challenge of developing a highly sensitive and specific liquid biopsy assay. Their goal was to detect cancer from a blood sample by identifying DNA methylation patterns, but the extremely low concentration of circulating tumor DNA required a high-throughput, multiplexed approach that their initial qPCR methods could not provide. To advance their research, they partnered with Twist Bioscience for a custom hybrid capture panel.

By implementing a custom panel from Twist Bioscience, Universal DX was able to capture thousands of DNA regions for methylation analysis, a significant improvement from their previous maximum of 30. This solution provided the necessary enrichment level and precision, enabling their assay to achieve 55% sensitivity for pre-cancerous advanced adenoma and 92% sensitivity for colorectal cancer. The collaboration with Twist has been crucial in developing a high-performance NGS-based workflow that brings the company closer to its mission of making early cancer detection and prevention a widespread reality.

Universal