Routine use of the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq™ Cancer Hotspot Panel for identification of clinically actionable somatic mutations

Background: Somatic mutation analysis is standard of practice for solid tumors in order to identify therapeutic sensitizing and resistance mutations. Our laboratory routinely performed standalone PCR-based methods for mutations in several genes. Rapid discovery and introduction of new therapeutics has demanded additional genomic information for adequate management of the cancer patient. We evaluated a next generation sequencing assay, the Ion Torrent AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panelv2 (CHPv2), capable of identifying multiple somatic mutations in 50 genes in a single assay. Methods: Accuracy, precision, limit of detection, and specificity were evaluated using DNA from well-characterized cell lines, genetically engineered cell lines fixed and embedded in paraffin, and previously tested mutation positive or negative, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Normal kidney, tonsil and colon FFPE tissues were used as controls. Results: Accuracy studies showed 100% concordance in each patient sample between previous PCR results and the corresponding variants identified using the Ion Torrent panel. Precision studies gave consistent results when libraries were prepared from the same original DNA and were run on multiple 316 chips. The limit of detection was determined to be 5% for single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 20% for insertions and deletions (indels). Specificity studies using normal FFPE tissue previously tested by PCR methods were also 100%. Conclusions: We have evaluated the performance of the AmpliSeq Cancer Panel Hotspotv2 and show that it is suitable for clinical testing. This next generation sequencing panel has allowed the laboratory to consolidate a broader range of molecular oncology testing to a single platform and single assay.