Sechenov University: Onkofuzhn Oncodiagnostic platform for combating aggressive tumors

The main articles are:

• Laboratory Information Systems (LIS, LIS)
• Cancer diagnosis

2025: Announcement of the development of an oncodiagnostic platform to combat aggressive tumors

Scientists of the Institute of Personalized Oncology of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov are working on the creation of a multiomix oncodiagnostic platform of the next generation "Onkofuzhn," which includes software and a set of reagents for laboratory diagnostics. With its help, it will be possible to determine genomic rearrangements in the tumor in one test, using the minimum amount of tumor material. The findings will help doctors match patients with the most aggressive malignancies with the most effective personalized treatment. Scientists at Sechenov University are working on the creation of the platform together with the industrial partner Onkobox, a leading developer in the field of molecular biology and personalized medicine. This was announced on March 20, 2025 by representatives of Sechenov University.

𝓲

Фото: DC Stud

As reported, the developing oncodiagnostic platform allows detecting so-called chimeric oncogenes in tumor samples that arise due to genomic rearrangements in the tumor. Such hybrids are formed by merging the two original genes. Some of the chimeric genes provoke active tumor growth and molecular-targeted drugs have already been created against them. In solid (dense) tumors, chimeric oncogenes are formed, for example, with the participation of the genes ALK, NTRK, MET, RET, ROS1 and others.

As of March 2025, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent hybridization, polymerase chain reaction and other techniques are used to detect them. But each has its own limitations: low sensitivity and an inability to distinguish meaningful mutations from random ones. A distinctive feature of the approach of scientists at Sechenov University is the determination of all genomic rearrangements in one test. To do this, they will use the method of directed RNA sequencing.

Our oncodiagnostic platform will detect gene rearrangements of ALK, FGFR, MET, NTRK, RET, ROS1. Such rearrangements are found in almost all types of tumors, although extremely rare. Their timely detection is very important, since in the presence of such rearrangements, the tumor is especially aggressive. At the same time, specific antitumor drugs have already been developed for each of them. Their use in such cases often gives a "Lazarus effect" when the disease recedes completely or almost completely, even in the late stages. told Anton Buzdin, project leader, chief researcher at the Institute of Personalized Oncology of the First Moscow State Medical University, professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The peculiarity of the Onkofuzhn platform is that all oncogenic rearrangements can be determined in one test, using the minimum amount of tumor material. This is an important opportunity, since the volume of material can be very limited and it is necessary that it is enough for all the necessary studies. In addition, the developers set themselves the task of making the technology being created as accessible as possible for patients - then more people with cancer can use it.

As of March 2025, a general experimental platform design has already been created and the technology for identifying several of the declared genes has been worked out in detail. The development of the prototype platform is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Priority-2030 strategic academic leadership program.