With Record Attendance, AACR 2023 Spotlights Diagnostics
Protein and molecular-based research and diagnostics, including multiplexed bead-based assays, were front and center at the 2023 cancer research conference
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Every year, thousands of the world’s leading cancer researchers convene to share the latest scientific advances and clinical research discoveries at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. The Luminex team was excited to attend another insightful AACR annual meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., where more attendees than ever gathered for the event.
The era of genomics and rapid progress in cancer research
After decades of slow but steady progress in understanding the underlying mechanisms of cancer, the era of genomics has transformed the pace of cancer research. We love attending the annual AACR meeting because it provides a great snapshot of the most exciting recent developments in the genomic advancements in cancer research, as well as a reminder of just how quickly these advances are happening. From large-scale genomics studies to deep dives into the interplay of a tumor and surrounding environment, the results reported at AACR meetings are likely to drive improvements in how cancer is treated in the future. This year, a track about multiomics in diagnosis and care management was especially popular, and sessions of particular interest to us include those on the biology of early cancers, precision prevention, and early cancer detection.
Advancements in molecular diagnostics: spotlight on xMAP® multiplexing technology
In addition, we were eager to see several posters highlighting the use of xMAP® Technology applications in cancer research. One from Hideki Furuya, PhD, a scientist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, illustrated how Furuya and his team used Bio-Techne assays based on xMAP Technology to detect, monitor, and predict urothelial carcinomas. It was an impressive demonstration of how multiplexing technology can help scientists achieve more than they could with conventional single-plex tests.
Another poster from Cuipeng Qiu and colleagues at the University of Texas at El Paso showcased how scientists developed a panel of anti-tumor associated autoantibodies for detecting prostate cancer. Furthermore, two additional posters were presented by scientists at Millipore Sigma: one featuring immune checkpoint biomarkers in mouse tumor models, and another about a 48-plex cytokine assay for colorectal cancer.
Introducing the upgraded xMAP INTELLIFLEX® System
Another AACR 2023 conference highlight occurred at our booth in the exhibit hall, where it was an honor to share the newest capabilities of our xMAP INTELLIFLEX System. With a recent software update, the system is now more flexible, secure, and easy to use, as it incorporates optional modules to enable integration in an automated workflow, electronic records compliance for 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11, as well as improvements to the user experience.
These updates make the xMAP INTELLIFLEX System a great fit for research that must comply with regulatory oversight and cybersecurity requirements, such as many cancer studies conducted by pharmaceutical and biotech companies. We’ll be rolling out the new software gradually throughout this year.
We hope you had as much fun at AACR as we did. We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference in San Diego!
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