Qlucore Newsletter: Reducing the cost to Analyze Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP)

Health Evidence and Innovation at Alberta Health Services recently reported in Cancer Investigation on the diagnostic costs associated with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). Their analysis shows that diagnosing CUP is 1.8 times more expensive than diagnosing stage IV cancers and 5.5 times more costly than diagnosing stage I–III cancers. As the authors note, several factors contribute to these elevated costs, but the conclusion is clear: more efficient diagnostic pathways for CUP could reduce resource use and, importantly, improve patient outcomes and survival.

Although CUP is relatively rare—with an incidence of roughly 2 per 100,000—the cumulative burden across developed healthcare systems is substantial.

At Qlucore, we are committed to advancing CUP diagnostics. Our data show that the Qlucore Insights Lung test (RoU) can identify the tissue of origin (TOO) for lung metastases in four out of five cases. The Qlucore Insights platform currently distinguishes 13 different tissues of origin. The test is powered by Whole Transcriptome Sequencing and machine‑learning–driven analysis, developed in collaboration with the Institute of Pathology in Heidelberg.

Beyond determining TOO, the test also detects gene fusions, providing broader molecular insight. Combined with the decreasing cost of sequencing, the Qlucore Insights Lung test offers a promising route to cost‑effective, resource‑efficient, and comprehensive analysis of lung cancer samples.

If you would like an introduction to Qlucore Insights, simply reply to this email. Further information is also available on the Qlucore website.

The full study is available in Cancer Investigation