MassArray Fetal Rhesus D Genotyping Demonstrates Concordance with RT-PCR

A noninvasive MassArray fetal Rhesus D (RHD) genotyping assay attained complete concordance with routine European noninvasive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, according to data from preliminary studies.

Scientists used the RHD genotyping assay and real-time PCR to examine whole-blood samples collected from 100 pregnant women between 13 and 39 weeks of pregnancy. Samples were processed into a plasma sample and a cellular blood component sample for fetal and maternal RHD genotyping, respectively. Results from the RHD genotyping test were 100% concordant with those obtained from real-time PCR, with both methods achieving overall sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98%.

These data demonstrate that fetal RHD genotyping assay utilizing the MassArray technology, which was developed by Sequenom (San Diego, CA, USA), may be a suitable alternative for clinical assessment of prenatal RHD incompatibility.

Harry Stylli, Ph.D., president and CEO of Sequenom said, Our first clinical licensee Lenetix Medical Screening Laboratory, Inc., is scheduled to launch its 'home brew' application for RHD incompatibility on a RT-PCR platform this quarter and we expect a 'home brew' RHD incompatibility test on the MassArray platform to be introduced later this year through a CLIA-certified laboratory. We plan to continue developing non-invasive prenatal tests for other genetic markers.

Sequenom provides genetic analysis products that translate genomic science into solutions for biomedical research, livestock and agricultural applications, molecular medicine, and non-invasive prenatal testing. The MassArray system is able to deliver reliable and specific data from complex biologic samples and from genetic target material that is only available in trace amounts.


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