Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled the latest recipients of its Oncomine Clinical Research Grant, a prestigious accolade dedicated to advancing research in the realm of oncology. This announcement, made from Carlsbad, California, marks the seventh iteration of the grant program, which has been instrumental in promoting high-quality molecular profiling in cancer research. The grant aims to democratize precision medicine by supporting investigator-initiated studies.

Since its inception in 2020, the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant program has awarded up to $200,000 in reagents and funding to 22 distinct research projects worldwide. These projects span a diverse range of topics within oncology, including molecular profiling in solid tumors, pediatric oncology, hemato-oncology, immune-oncology, and liquid biopsy. This initiative underscores Thermo Fisher's commitment to enhancing clinical outcomes through next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.

Meet the Latest Grant Recipients

Based on the last call for proposals in Spring 2023, the following researchers and projects have been selected as the most recent grant recipients:

• Richard Scolyer,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia – “Getting melanoma diagnosis right: migration of clinical validation of the MIA genomic ancillary test on the Genexus platform for regular clinical testing.”
  • Researchers will use the Ion Torrent Genexus system to migrate the Melanoma Institute Australia’s genomic classifier into routine clinical testing.
• Silvia Novello and Marco Volante, University of Turin, Italy – “Integrated molecular analysis to depict signatures associated with TKI treatment response in advanced NSCLC and to identify novel predictive biomarkers.”
  • Researchers will work to fill an unmet need in precision oncology and will identify novel clinically relevant biomarkers of response to TKI in specific oncogene-addicted scenarios and increase the amount of available predictive tools of therapeutic responsiveness at baseline.
• Wencheng Li,Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, United States of America – “Biomarker Assessment by Next Generation Sequencing Using the Supernatants from Fine Needle Aspiration of NSCLC.”
  • Researchers will work to identify solutions for frequently encountered problems (inadequate specimen, indeterminate diagnosis, less-than-optimal turnaround time and false negative result) in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.

Recipients also had the opportunity to present their findings at an Oncomine Scientific Gala, showcasing the potential of NGS testing in oncology. The program has facilitated significant research outcomes, such as a study on pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), highlighting its contribution to understanding and treating complex conditions.

The next call for proposals will open in March 2024, inviting research that explores the molecular landscape of tumors and the role of molecular testing in enhancing treatment precision. Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to support the oncology research community through these grants, reinforcing its dedication to advancing precision oncology.