AGTC Genomics, Sunway University and Sunway Medical Center Collaborate to Advance Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer Management

AGTC Genomics, in collaboration with Sunway University and Sunway Medical Center, has initiated a joint clinical research study to evaluate the clinical utility of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing in the management of lung cancer, marking a significant advancement in the application of liquid biopsy in precision oncology.

Lung cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in Malaysia and globally. While significant progress has been made in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, relapse remains a major clinical challenge. Current monitoring approaches, including imaging, often detect recurrence only after substantial disease progression, limiting the opportunity for early therapeutic intervention.

This study focuses on the use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based MRD testing to detect microscopic residual disease following treatment. By enabling highly sensitive, non-invasive detection of tumor-derived genetic material in blood, MRD testing offers the potential to identify relapse at a much earlier stage—well before it becomes clinically or radiologically apparent.

The research will involve longitudinal monitoring of lung cancer patients undergoing treatment. Serial blood samples will be analyzed using AGTC Genomics’ CancerTRACE MRD platform, designed to detect ultra-low levels of ctDNA with high sensitivity and specificity. The study aims to correlate MRD status with clinical outcomes, including relapse, treatment response, and survival.

The integration of clinical, genomic, and longitudinal data is expected to provide critical insights into how MRD testing can be incorporated into routine oncology workflows.

Prof. Dr. Chee-Onn Leong, Founder and CEO of AGTC Genomics, stated:

“The advancement of liquid biopsy, particularly MRD testing, represents a paradigm shift in cancer management. Through this collaboration, we aim to generate strong clinical evidence to support the integration of MRD into routine practice—enabling earlier detection of relapse, more precise treatment decisions, and ultimately better outcomes for lung cancer patients.”

This initiative underscores Malaysia’s growing role in precision medicine and highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating clinical innovation. By leveraging local expertise, advanced genomics infrastructure, and real-world clinical data, the study aims to establish MRD testing as a key component of next-generation cancer care.

The findings from this research are expected to contribute to regional and global evidence supporting the adoption of MRD-guided strategies in oncology, paving the way for more proactive and personalized cancer management approaches.

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About AGTC Genomics

AGTC Genomics is a leading genomics solutions provider in Southeast Asia, offering CAP-accredited and ISO-certified next-generation sequencing (NGS) services for clinical diagnostics and research. The company is committed to making precision medicine more accessible and affordable through cutting-edge technology and strategic collaborations.