PreAnalytiX Introduces Novel Solution for Liquid Biopsy

PreAnalytiX GmbH, formed by QIAGEN N.V. and BD, has introduced the PAXgene Urine Liquid Biopsy Set for analyzing cell-free DNA in urine using various molecular testing technologies like qPCR, digital PCR, and NGS. QIAGEN will commercialize the new set. The PAXgene Urine Liquid Biopsy Set solves the problem of extracting cfDNA from urine by including a preservation solution. 

This convenient kit for collecting urine and stabilizing cfDNA is also the initial one to include a confirmed, uniform, and comprehensive preanalytical process to enhance the accessibility of urine cfDNA for research purposes.

Urine cell-free DNA shows potential for studies and upcoming clinical uses. It enables the measurement and analysis of cfDNA fragments, identification of genetic alterations and mutations, assessment of methylation status, and production of genomic information not present in blood samples. Nevertheless, examining these samples has proven to be difficult due to the rapid degradation of cfDNA after collection, which may result in the release of inaccurate genomic DNA.

“Cell-free DNA isolated from urine offers a truly non-invasive sampling method for liquid biopsy, but urine cfDNA requires careful sample handling,” said Dr. Ellen Heitzer, Professor at the Medical University of Graz in Austria. “The PAXgene Urine Liquid Biopsy Set enables standardized urine sampling that is easy to use in clinical practice. It is compatible with various downstream analyses including hotspot, gene panel, and genome-wide analyses – all of which can provide important complementary information to blood.”