Frequently Asked Questions

A liquid biopsy is a revolutionary, minimally invasive examination method for cancer diagnostics, in which circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is analyzed from a simple blood sample. Unlike conventional tissue biopsies, which require a surgical procedure, liquid biopsy only requires a blood draw similar to a routine examination.

Cancer cells continuously release small DNA fragments into the bloodstream that carry the same genetic changes as the original tumor. This circulating tumor DNA can be detected and analyzed using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies and bioinformatics methods. Liquid biopsy thus enables precise monitoring of cancer diseases without the risks and discomfort of invasive procedures.

MRD stands for "Minimal Residual Disease" and refers to the smallest detectable amount of cancer cells that may remain in the body after an apparently successful treatment. These residual cells are often not visible with conventional imaging procedures such as CT or MRI, but can later lead to a relapse (recurrence).

MRD tests use highly sensitive methods such as ctDNA analysis to detect even the smallest amounts of tumor DNA in the blood - sometimes down to one molecule per million. MRD detection is particularly important for risk assessment after therapy: patients with negative MRD status generally have a significantly better prognosis than those with detectable minimal residual disease.

LIQOMICS currently offers highly specialized ctDNA tests for hematologic malignancies. LymphoVista is validated for all B-cell lymphomas, including DLBCL (Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma), follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and CNS lymphomas. LymphoVista HL has been specifically developed for Hodgkin lymphomas.

CancerVista for solid tumors is in development. These tests will be available for the most common solid tumor types in the future: lung cancer (NSCLC/SCLC), breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma, prostate cancer, ovarian carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, and others. Currently, these tests are only available for research purposes (RUO - Research Use Only).

LIQOMICS was founded as a spin-off from the University of Cologne and is based on years of research in liquid biopsy technology. The company develops innovative ctDNA tests to improve cancer diagnostics and monitoring.

LIQOMICS is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. Our laboratory and development department are also located in Cologne, where we conduct all tests and develop new technologies.

No, the examination is not painful. Only blood is drawn, as you know from normal blood tests. No surgical intervention is necessary.

Tests can only be ordered by physicians. Register as a submitter or contact us for access credentials. Fill out the request form and select the desired test.

LIQOMICS tests can be ordered by physicians, medical institutions such as hospitals, practices and specialized oncology centers. This ensures professional indication and interpretation of results.

As a patient, you have two options: you can speak to your treating oncologist or hematologist about the possibilities of liquid biopsy, or you can contact us directly. We are happy to advise you about testing options and can refer you to a qualified physician in your area who has experience with liquid biopsy diagnostics if needed.

The Vista Collection Kit contains Sarstedt cfDNA tubes, venipuncture set, transport container, submission form and prepaid return label in an eco-friendly, reusable box.

20ml of blood is collected in Sarstedt cfDNA tubes - like a normal blood test. The sample is stored at room temperature and sent to our laboratory within 48 hours.

We need 20ml blood in special Sarstedt cfDNA tubes (9.2ml). These tubes stabilize the circulating tumor DNA and prevent contamination with normal DNA.

Samples are shipped at room temperature in our transport container with prepaid return label. Shipping should occur within 48 hours of collection.

You will receive the report after 2-4 weeks from sample receipt via password-protected email to the treating physician. The report is technically and medically validated and is available in German and English.

Statutory health insurance does not cover the costs of our tests. Private health insurance may cover the costs.

We recommend speaking with your health insurance before conducting the test. Alternatively, you can contact us directly - we are happy to advise you about cost reimbursement options and support you with the application.

What the tests can do: LIQOMICS Vista tests are suitable for MRD detection (detection of minimal residual disease), continuous therapy monitoring during treatment, early detection of recurrences (often months before visibility in imaging), risk stratification of patients and prognostic assessment of treatment success. They offer high sensitivity and can detect even very small amounts of tumor DNA.

What the tests cannot do: The Vista tests are expressly NOT suitable for cancer screening in healthy individuals or for primary diagnosis. The genotyping results should currently not be used as the sole basis for therapy-specific treatment decisions. They do not replace clinical judgment by the physician and should always be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall situation.

The costs for the initial marker identification (genotyping to identify patient-specific mutations) are €2,965. For the determination of minimal residual disease in additional samples, about €1,985 per sample is charged.

These costs include the complete analysis including sequencing, bioinformatics evaluation and medical validation.

Vista tests use our proprietary technology that enables very high sensitivity. The tests are specifically developed for different cancer types and clinically validated. For the LymphoVista tests, extensive clinical evidence exists that proves their prognostic significance.

They combine genotyping and MRD monitoring in an integrated test approach, enabling continuous monitoring with the same patient-specific markers.

The LIQOMICS Vista tests show high precision. In a technical validation study, LymphoVista achieves 93.86% sensitivity and 99.999% specificity for variant detection for variants with ≥0.5% mutant allele frequency (mAF). For MRD assessment, the limit of detection (LoD) is 6.69 × 10⁻⁶ with 100% accuracy for MRD values >3.04 × 10⁻⁵.

LymphoVista HL shows 91.27% sensitivity and 99.99% specificity for variants ≥0.5% mAF. The MRD limit of detection is 6.54 × 10⁻⁶ with 100% accuracy for MRD values >1.76 × 10⁻⁵.

These tests can therefore reliably detect the smallest amounts of tumor DNA.

The Vista tests each analyze gene panels optimized for the respective diseases. LymphoVista was specifically developed for B-cell lymphomas and analyzes relevant oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes of these tumor entities. LymphoVista HL has a slightly modified gene spectrum specifically optimized for Hodgkin lymphomas. CancerVista is correspondingly developed for solid tumors such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer or pancreatic cancer.

Our tests can detect up to 1 in 1,000,000 cancer cell DNA molecules in the blood (LoD: 6.69 × 10⁻⁶ for LymphoVista, 6.54 × 10⁻⁶ for LymphoVista HL).

The reports contain detailed genetic variant analysis, precise MRD quantification with absolute values and scientific verification according to ISO standards. Available in German and English.

Our laboratory capacity enables the processing of several hundred samples per month. With increased demand, we can adjust the capacity accordingly.

Your blood sample will be analyzed in our laboratory using state-of-the-art methods. In this process, we look for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which provides important insights into your disease.

Patients with a history of allogeneic stem cell or organ transplantation (except corneal transplantation) unfortunately cannot be tested, as this could affect the test results.

When tests should be ordered: Possible indications are MRD detection after completion of primary therapy for assessment of therapy response, continuous monitoring during ongoing treatments for early detection of therapy resistance, regular surveillance in follow-up care for early detection of recurrences, and risk stratification for treatment intensification or follow-up intervals.

When tests should NOT be ordered: Vista tests are unsuitable for screening in asymptomatic, healthy individuals without known cancer disease, for primary diagnosis of unclear symptoms, as the sole decision basis for therapy changes without clinical confirmation, or in patients with allogeneic stem cell or organ transplantation (except cornea), as these can influence test results.

The frequency depends on the clinical situation. Typical are measurements after therapy completion, then every 3-6 months in follow-up care. Your oncologist determines the optimal monitoring interval.

We support clinical trials in all phases with ctDNA monitoring. Contact us for customized study designs and regulatory support.

Our technology has been clinically validated in studies on large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma, among others. Both studies show a significant prognostic significance of the test result. Detailed information can be found on the LymphoVista page.

LIQOMICS works according to quality standards and is regulated. We comply with international ISO standards, ensuring analytical quality and reliability.

We work according to the RiliBÄK standards (Guidelines of the German Medical Association for Quality Assurance of Laboratory Medical Examinations). These German quality guidelines define the minimum requirements for analytics in medical laboratories and ensure precision and reliability of our test results. All reports are both technically and medically validated and comply with regulatory requirements for diagnostic tests.

LIQOMICS meets all relevant German quality standards for medical laboratories. We work according to the RiliBÄK standards (Guidelines of the German Medical Association for Quality Assurance of Laboratory Medical Examinations), which in Germany form the legal basis for quality assurance in laboratory medicine.

In addition, we comply with the requirements of the IVD Regulation (In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation). Our quality management system is aligned with the special requirements of molecular diagnostics and ctDNA analysis.

We adhere to strict privacy standards and do not share patient data. All data is processed in compliance with GDPR and stored securely. Details can be found in our privacy policy.

LIQOMICS offers comprehensive information resources for different target groups. Detailed technical information, test specifications and clinical validation data can be found in our section "For Doctors". Patient-friendly explanations of liquid biopsy, test procedures and frequently asked questions are compiled in the section "For Patients".

Additional resources include our download section with brochures, request forms and scientific publications, as well as detailed product information on the LymphoVista page. For specific questions that are not answered here, please contact us directly - both doctors and patients can contact our expert team at any time.