USA – Illumina has unveiled an upgraded version of its flagship tumor profiling test, aiming to provide quicker turnaround times, reduce material usage, and improve coverage of challenging genomic regions.
The new version, TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO 500) tissue assay, is designed to help identify rare cancer biomarkers more efficiently.
Currently in development, this next-generation version of the assay is set for global release in mid-2025.
The announcement was made during the Association of Molecular Pathology’s annual meeting in Vancouver, where Illumina also presented preliminary performance data and showcased its new automation capabilities.
The updated TruSight Oncology 500 kits will feature 50% less packaging and offer flexible batch sizes, making the assay more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
In addition to this, Illumina revealed that the in vitro diagnostic version of the assay, called TruSight Oncology Comprehensive, has begun shipping to clinical customers in the U.S. after receiving FDA approval in August 2024.
This version of the pan-cancer profiling test, which has been available in Europe since 2022, analyzes solid tumor samples for 517 genes using Illumina’s NextSeq 550Dx instrument.
By identifying biomarker patterns, the test helps match patients with targeted immunotherapies, such as Bayer’s Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) and Eli Lilly’s Retevmo (selpercatinib), which are used for treating certain cancers with specific genetic mutations.
In a further expansion of its sequencing portfolio, Illumina introduced the MiSeq i100 series, a new set of benchtop instruments designed for faster, more accessible DNA sequencing.
The MiSeq i100 series, which includes the i100 and i100 Plus models, boasts significantly faster processing speeds—up to four times faster than previous models—and delivers same-day results.
The system employs reagents that can be stored at room temperature, eliminating the need to wait for cartridges to thaw.
The instruments are versatile, supporting applications ranging from small whole-genome sequencing of microbes and viruses to targeted panels for oncology and infectious diseases.
“We listened to our customers and delivered what they need—faster, smaller, and easy-to-use instruments with plug-and-play flexibility,” said Illumina CEO Jacob Thaysen.
“The MiSeq i100 series is perfect for both established sequencing labs and those looking to start sequencing for the first time.”
The MiSeq i100 series is set to ship globally in 2025, with two versions available: the i100, which offers up to 25 million single-end reads per run, and the i100 Plus, which can process up to 100 million reads.
These compact instruments are powered by Illumina’s XLEAP-SBS chemistry, which was previously introduced alongside the NovaSeq X platform, a high-throughput system that can sequence entire human genomes for under US $200.
