dPCR PanCancer Kits

• Parallel detection of hallmark mutations with frequencies as low as 0.1% 
• Reference assay quantifies genome copies and check for dPCR efficiency
• Reference gene and hallmark mutations detected in a single run using two different dyes
• Simple and fast dPCR protocol on the QIAcuity
• Compatible with QIAGEN sample preparation kits and instruments 

The dPCR PanCancer Kits have been designed for various cancer-relevant target genes. Using a single assay, the kits can detect multiple mutations or deletions in a target gene. The dPCR PanCancer Kit BRAF V600 FAM can detect eight key mutations in BRAF V600, and the dPCR PanCancer Kit EGFRex19del FAM can detect 23 deletions in exon 19 of the EGFR gene. 

Each dPCR PanCancer Kit consists of two boxes: one box with the specific PanCancer Assay with FAM-labeled gene-specific primers and a HEX-labeled reference gene to check for PCR efficiency, and the other with the QIAcuity Master Mix (see figure " dPCR PanCancer Kit concept"). The primers and probes come pre-mixed in the right concentrations. 

The assay is optimized for 26k 24-well Nanoplates, but other nanoplate formats are also possible. The easy-to-use dPCR workflow on the QIAcuity allows fast, precise and cost-efficient screening of your samples. 

High sensitivity in mutation detection

The dPCR PanCancer Kits have been developed to meet the need for precise and time-efficient screening of cancer samples in your research projects. The assays can detect multiple mutations in parallel, down to 0.1% mutation frequency, in various sample types used in cancer research.

Parallel detection of multiple hallmark mutations and reference gene 

The 26k 24-well Nanoplate allows the analysis of 24 samples in parallel, including negative and positive controls. Each assay detects several cancer-relevant mutations in parallel within a specific target gene in a single channel. As the reference assay for AP3B1 comes with a different dye than the assay for the mutations, the readout can be done using two different channels on the QIAcuity but in the same reaction well, saving precious samples and allowing more samples to be run on one plate.

Compatible with multiple sample types and sample preparation methods

The dPCR PanCancer Kits are compatible with QIAGEN sample preparation kits and instruments, allowing you to meet diverse throughput, reproducibility and sensitivity needs. Whether you isolate your DNA manually using a QIAGEN kit, such as the QIAamp Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit for cfDNA, QIAamp DNA Blood Kits for blood DNA or QIAamp DNA FFPE Advanced Kit for FFPE DNA, or perform automated DNA isolation using the EZ2 Connect or QIAsymphony SP, the dPCR PanCancer Kits work with all of them. 

The dPCR PanCancer Kits – BRAF V600 FAM and EGFRex19del FAM – detect multiple hallmark mutations in the serine/threonine protein kinase B-Raf encoding gene BRAF and the epidermal growth factor receptor encoding gene EGFR, respectively.

The assays are designed for use with the QIAcuity Master Mix and the QIAcuity Digital PCR System. Each assay involves endpoint PCR amplification targeting specific genetic regions of the relevant cancer gene. The amplified product is detected using target-specific fluorescent hydrolysis probes, enhancing the assay's specificity.

Below is a detailed overview of the covered mutations with the unique COSMIC database v99 identifiers. Additionally, each dPCR PanCancer Kit incorporates a reference assay that quantifies the human single-copy gene AP3B1, providing a benchmark for determining genome copies in the sample. While the recommended setup involves a 26k 24-well Nanoplate, these assays are also compatible with other QIAcuity Nanoplate types, offering versatility in experimental configurations. 

Learn the principle behind QIAcuity nanoplate-based digital PCR here.

The dPCR PanCancer Kit protocol is simple and can be performed in any laboratory with the QIAcuity dPCR instrument. Following the instructions in the user manual and the Quick Start Protocol, the user prepares the reaction mix and pipettes the mix into the nanoplate. We recommend using the 26k nanoplate and keeping the software up to date. Isolated DNA is added to the ready-to-use QIAcuity Probe Master Mix and nuclease-free water. This mix is aliquoted into each well of the dPCR pre-plate, which contains pre-dispensed sets of primers and hydrolysis probes. The reaction mixtures are transferred from the pre-plate to the dPCR nanoplate wells, which are then sealed and transferred to the QIAcuity dPCR instrument (see figure " A simple and rapid plate-based workflow"). The partitioning, cycling and imaging steps are fully automated by the QIAcuity dPCR instrument following the preset parameters. Depending on the cycling protocol, the results of the dPCR run can be analyzed using the QIAcuity Software Suite in ~2 hours.

The dPCR PanCancer Kits are highly suited for detecting mutations or deletions in DNA isolated from blood, plasma, fresh tissue or FFPE, but other sample types are also possible. The assays are compatible with the QIAGEN workflow and have been validated via wet-lab testing (see figure " Detection of BRAF V600 mutations (A) and EGFR exon 19 deletions (B) in cfDNA extracted from blood plasma using the dPCR PanCancer Kit on the QIAcuity platform"). The results from manual and automated DNA extraction and subsequent dPCR analysis are shown. Data coherence with DNA extracted using different QIAGEN sample preparation methods is demonstrated.