Answers For Patients And Healthcare Professionals

A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive blood test that can detect cancer cells or DNA fragments released by tumors into the bloodstream: without needing a tissue biopsy. It offers a way to monitor cancer progression, treatment response, and recurrence.

MRD stands for Minimal Residual Disease: the very small number of cancer cells that may remain in the body after initial treatment. Detecting MRD early is often crucial for guiding further treatment decisions and preventing relapse.

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.

Our tests are designed for specific cancer types, including various lymphomas (LymphoVista) and solid tumors (CancerVista). Please refer to the detailed product pages or contact us for more information.

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 involves a simple blood draw, similar to a routine blood test. It is a minimally invasive procedure with little to no discomfort.

No. LIQOMICS technology is specifically engineered to detect Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in patients who have already received a cancer diagnosis. It is not intended for, or validated as, a screening tool.

LIQOMICS tests are available in most countries worldwide. Contact us to confirm availability in your location.

Tests can be ordered directly with us or through your physician. Please get in touch with us so we can provide a collection kit and the necessary forms.

The Vista Collection Kit contains Sarstedt cfDNA tubes, one venipuncture set, a transport container, a submission form and detailed instructions in an eco-friendly, reusable box.

20 ml of blood are 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 20 ml 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, which is provided in the collection box. Shipping should occur within 48 hours of collection.

Typically, results are available within 10 to 15 working days after our laboratory receives your sample, sent via password-protected email to the treating physician. The report is technically and medically validated and is available in German and English.

In Germany, statutory health insurance (GKV) does not cover the costs of our tests. Private health insurance (PKV) usually covers the costs. In other countries, insurance coverage depends on your insurance provider.

Please contact us. We are happy to advise you on reimbursement options and provide the documentation needed for your claim.

Yes. We are happy to assist you with reimbursement and provide documentation and templates for reimbursement applications.

What the tests can do: LIQOMICS Vista tests are suitable for MRD detection, 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.

Vista tests use our proprietary technology that enables very high sensitivity. The tests are specifically developed for different cancer types and clinically validated. 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.

LIQOMICS tests utilize advanced technology validated through extensive clinical studies. Your oncologist will interpret the results in the context of your overall clinical picture : this is a tool to empower you and your care team to make the best possible decisions.

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 a detailed genetic variant analysis, a precise MRD quantification with absolute values and are scientifically verified according to ISO standards. The reports are available in German and English.

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, continuous monitoring during ongoing treatments, regular surveillance in follow-up care, 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, 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).

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), CNS lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, among others. All 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, 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.

All samples are processed and all data is stored in Germany, at our laboratory in Cologne. There is no data transfer outside Germany or the EU. This applies to every test result, regardless of where the ordering physician or patient is located.

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.

Yes. We support research collaborations for academic institutions and partnership models for industry and pharma. Details are on our Research Services and Partnering pages. Contact us directly to discuss your project.

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

Further resources include our download section with brochures, request forms, and scientific publications, product information on LymphoVista and CancerVista, our peer-reviewed publications, recorded conference presentations in our webinars section, and ongoing updates in our news section. For specific questions not answered here, contact us directly.