Cancer Genomics Research
Cancer Genomics Research Clinical Cancer Research Cancer Companion Diagnostics NGS in Oncology
Cancer Genomics Research
Cancer Genomics Research Clinical Cancer Research Cancer Companion Diagnostics NGS in Oncology

Cancer whole-exome sequencing

Focus on cost-effective sequencing of relevant regions for cancer research

Identifying coding mutations in cancer

Sequencing the cancer exome can provide researchers with valuable information about the coding mutations contributing to tumor progression. Because the exome represents less than 2% of the genome, cancer whole-exome sequencing (WES) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Cancer exome sequencing also produces a more manageable data set compared to whole-genome approaches.

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Key benefits of cancer exome sequencing

  • Identifies cancer variants across a wide range of applications
  • Offers a cost-effective alternative to whole-genome sequencing
  • Enables deep sequencing of coding regions of the genome to detect rare cancer-associated variants
  • Generates a more manageable data set for easier analysis than WGS data

Cancer Research Methods Guide

The Cancer Research Methods Guide is a 40+ page comprehensive resource with simple, comprehensive workflows for a broad range of cancer research applications. This guide includes single-cell sequencing, spatial sequencing, methylation profiling, multiomics, cell-free RNA sequencing, and more.

Potential applications of WES in cancer research

Biomarker discovery

Cancer researchers can use WES and RNA sequencing to uncover tumor-associated gene expression profiles.

Capturing variant data from blood

Discovering genetic variants in blood samples using WES is minimally invasive and may help researchers capture predictive or diagnostic cancer biomarkers.

Informing research into cancer susceptibility

Research into factors associated with cancer susceptibility and early incidence is vital for future translational insights and targetable genes or pathways.

Learn more about exome sequencing
View more cancer research applications

Comprehensive cancer whole-exome sequencing research workflow

Illumina offers library preparation, sequencing, and data analysis research options for sequencing cancer exomes. Streamlined library prep workflows and flexible kit configurations accommodate multiple study designs. User-friendly tools simplify data analysis.

1
Library prep

Illumina DNA Prep with Exome 2.5 Enrichment

A high-performance, fast whole-exome sequencing research kit that includes library prep and hybridization reagents, a comprehensive exome probe panel, clean up/size selection beads, and indexes.

Illumina FFPE DNA Prep with Exome 2.5 Enrichment

A sensitive and comprehensive whole-exome sequencing research solution that offers a tumor–normal workflow for detecting low-frequency variants from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples.

2
Sequencing

NextSeq 1000 and 2000 Systems

These cost-efficient, user-friendly, mid-throughput benchtop sequencers offer extreme flexibility to support new and emerging applications.

NovaSeq X Series

This production-scale sequencer offers vast application breadth, enabling data-intensive methods at production scale.

3
Data analysis

Illumina DRAGEN secondary analysis

Accurate, comprehensive, and efficient analysis of NGS data for a range of applications, including exome, genome, transcriptome, and methylome studies.

Illumina DRAGEN Somatic pipeline

DRAGEN Somatic pipeline identifies somatic variants that can exist at low allele frequencies in tumor samples. The pipeline can analyze tumor–normal pairs and tumor–only sequencing data.

Illumina DRAGEN Enrichment app

An accurate and efficient FASTQ to VCF secondary analysis solution for whole-exome and targeted panel NGS data. This app can be used for both germline and somatic variant calling.

Related cancer research resources

Cancer RNA sequencing

Learn how RNA-Seq can provide cancer researchers with functional information about gene expression and the gene fusions that drive tumor progression.

Cancer epigenetics

Explore methods for studying cancer epigenetics to learn how nongenetic changes can affect cancer-related gene expression.

View more cancer sequencing methods

Tumor exomes reveal new insights into cancer biology

Learn how researchers in Italy perform cancer WES from tumor biopsy samples to better understand the genetic underpinnings of tumor onset and progression, identify biomarkers, and predict response to therapeutic interventions.

Read article

Keep exploring

Cancer single-cell analysis

Single-cell sequencing allows researchers to investigate drivers of cancer at the DNA, RNA, epigenetic, and protein levels within a single cell.

Speak to a specialist

Interested in learning more about cancer whole-exome sequencing?

References

  1. Schwarze K, Buchanan J, Taylor JC, Wordsworth, S. Are whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing approaches cost-effective? A systematic review of the literature. Genet Med. 2018 Oct;20(10):1122-1130. doi: 10.1038/gim.2017.247