A Nanopore Sequencing–Based Assay for Rapid Detection of Gene Fusions

Structural chromosomal rearrangements leading to gene fusions are strong driver mutations in a variety of tumors. Identification of specific gene fusions can be essential for distinguishing benign from malignant conditions and for recognizing specific subtypes of neoplasms that can have different management and prognosis. Rapid identification of gene fusions is particularly critical for patients with acute leukemia who cannot wait more than a few days before initiating treatment and for whom treatment can be dramatically different depending on the leukemia subtype.