During my ERC StG (ID: 336540) research, we discovered that mRNA sequenced from tumour-educated platelets enables pan-cancer, multiclass cancer diagnostics, including the possibility for companion diagnostics. We found that we can distinguish patients with localised and metastasised brain tumours from healthy individuals with 84-92% accuracy and were able to identify the tumour subtype (including amplified EGFR and mutant EGFR) with >80% accuracy. These results demonstrate that blood platelets are a valuable source of information and with our study, we have progressed the development of blood-based ‘liquid biopsies’. The next step was to take this important finding to proof-of-concept, and develop a blood-based diagnostic test for glioblastoma (GBM). GlioDx was initiated with the hiring of personnel. We were able to rapidly start working on the project in the first month. The clinical follow up of Rindopepimut, an EGFR-targeted immunotherapy, was abrogated due to lack of therapeutic efficacy. ABT-414, another EGFR-targeted agent is currently active in clinical trials and blood is collected for potential platelet analysis. We focused on developing the thromboSeq GBM therapy response test which aims at therapy-independent monitoring of tumor (pseudo)progression (Sol et al. manuscript in preparation). The pre-established IP portfolio owned by VUMC related to the platelet platform was licensed to thromboDx BV which was successfully acquired by Illumina Inc for future valorization (see separate market report for opportunities). Illumina Inc owns the worldwide exclusive rights to the use of tumor-educated platelets for the detection of cancer and monitoring of therapy responses, including targeted therapies against GBM. All in all, the project is considered successful, with exciting science and high impact output, and acquisition of the technology by Illumina Inc.
