Liquid biopsy approaches to inform neuroblastoma prognosis and disease monitoring

Summary

Develop new precision biomarkers using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and epigenetic-based methodology to predict prognosis and monitor minimal residual disease in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.

What they want

The project aims to develop new biomarkers to guide treatment decisions for high-risk neuroblastoma using cfDNA and a novel epigenetic-based methodology focusing on 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) modifications. It will utilize nano-hmC-seal, a whole-genome methodology, to analyze 5hmC in cfDNA. The research will involve generating 5hmC profiles from clinically annotated serial blood samples (liquid biopsies) collected from 400 patients enrolled in the Children’s Oncology Group High-Risk Neuroblastoma Phase III study (ANBL1531, NCT03126916). Specific aims include evolving and validating biomarkers of poor response at diagnosis, prospectively identifying minimal residual disease (MRD) and predicting relapse from serial cfDNA 5hmC profiles, and experimentally confirming candidate networks enriched in cfDNA at relapse.

Deliverables

Unprecedented diagnostic biomarkers to improve therapeutic decisions
Early detection and interventions for patients with relapse causing MRD
Identification of epigenetic mechanisms which drive relapse

Technical requirements

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis
Epigenetic-based methodology (5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5hmC)
Nano-hmC-seal (whole-genome methodology for analyzing 5hmC modifications in cfDNA)
Analysis of clinically annotated serial blood samples (liquid biopsies)
Correlation with Children’s Oncology Group High-Risk Neuroblastoma Phase III study (ANBL1531, NCT03126916) data

Market context

inferred from NAICS

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

NAICS 541714

US market size: $2.0T
Typical award: $25K – $50M

Typical buyers

All federal civilianDoDStates

Commonly required

8(a)WOSBSDVOSBPE/PMP

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