Effect of tumor purity on somatic mutation detection using next-generation sequencing technology: A benchmarking study

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming an essential tool for clinical cancer care. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), whole exome sequencing (WES), and targeted gene sequencing (TGS) have emerged as important tools and are critical for advancing precision oncology to meaningfully impact patient lives. To enable this goal, we must first thoroughly characterize the complexities of using NGS to identify somatic mutations in samples with tumor heterogeneity and variable tissue sample purity.

In this poster, you will explore our application of both experiment and in silico approaches to determine the effects of tumor heterogeneity on somatic mutation detection.

With somatic variation “ground truth” established by multiple orthogonal sequencing platforms and multiple analysis tools, we evaluated performance of individual software tools for tumor purity assessment and for mutation detection. Our experimental design allowed us to systematically evaluate accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of mutation detection across a range of tumor purities, as well as conduct a head-to-head comparison of in silico approaches versus experimental approaches.

This comprehensive study will help to clarify our understanding of experimental and analytical challenges that arise when confronted with tumor heterogeneity in patient care clinical decisions. In addition, data generated in this study will be used as a benchmark resource for the community to develop and improve tools to meet clinical challenges.

Authors: Wendell Jones, Wenming Xiao (FDA/NCTR), and other members of the SEQC2 Consortium

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