Abstract: Described herein is a method for detecting cancer DNA in a test sample of DNA from a patient. In some embodiments, the method may comprise: (a) sequencing multiple aliquots of the test sample to produce, for each aliquot, sequence reads corresponding to two or more target regions that each have one or more sequence variations present within the patient's cancer; (b) for each aliquot, for each target region: i. determining the number of sequence reads that have the sequence variation; ii. determining the total number of sequence reads; and iii. comparing i. and ii. to one or more error probability distribution models for the sequence variation, wherein the one or more models are obtained from DNA that does not contain the sequence variation; and (c) integrating the collective results of step (b) to determine if there is cancer DNA in the test sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is method for quantifying a target sequence in a sample. In some embodiments, the method may comprise: adding a known amount of a first nucleic acid to a sample, wherein the longest contiguous sequence that the first spike-in sequence and the first target sequence have in common is no more than 40 contiguous nucleotides. After amplification and sequencing the reads from first nucleic acid can be used to quantify the amount of target sequence, or a variant thereof in the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is method for, among other things, estimating the number of sequence variations in a sample of DNA. In some embodiments, the method can be used to estimate the mutational load of a sample. In some embodiments, the method makes use of a set of primers that have 3? ends that specifically hybridizes to a sequence that is repeated multiple times in the genome. Thermocycling a reaction mix containing the primers may produce a reaction product comprising at least 50 amplicons having a total length of at least 100 kb. This product can be sequenced to provide an estimate of the number of sequence variations in the sample, and thus the mutational load of the sample.

Abstract: A method for analyzing cell free DNA (cfDNA) from the bloodstream of a cancer patient is provided. In some embodiments, the method may comprise sequencing at least part of the coding sequences of TP53 and KRAS in a sample of the cfDNA, analyzing the sequences to identify nucleotide transversions in the coding sequences of the genes, relative to reference sequences of the genes. In some embodiments, the method may comprise counting the total number of identified nucleotide transversions. The presence of nucleotide transversions indicates that the patient will be more responsive to the immune checkpoint inhibitor, whereas a decreased number of transversions or no transversios indicates that the patient will be less responsive to the immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Abstract: Provided herein is method for, among other things, estimating the number of sequence variations in a sample of DNA. In some embodiments, the method can be used to estimate the mutational load of a sample. In some embodiments, the method makes use of a set of primers that have 3? ends that specifically hybridizes to a sequence that is repeated multiple times in the genome. Thermocycling a reaction mix containing the primers may produce a reaction product comprising at least 50 amplicons having a total length of at least 100 kb. This product can be sequenced to provide an estimate of the number of sequence variations in the sample, and thus the mutational load of the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is method for, among other things, estimating the number of sequence variations in a sample of DNA. In some embodiments, the method can be used to estimate the mutational load of a sample. In some embodiments, the method makes use of a set of primers that have 3? ends that specifically hybridizes to a sequence that is repeated multiple times in the genome. Thermocycling a reaction mix containing the primers may produce a reaction product comprising at least 50 amplicons having a total length of at least 100 kb. This product can be sequenced to provide an estimate of the number of sequence variations in the sample, and thus the mutational load of the sample.