Use of Biosynthetic Controls as Performance Standards for Next-Generation Sequencing Assays of Somatic Tumors: A Multilaboratory Study

Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays are highly complex tests that can vary substantially in both their design and intended application. Despite their innumerous advantages, NGS assays present some unique challenges associated with the preanalytical process, library preparation, data analysis, and reporting. According to a number of professional laboratory organization, control materials should be included both during the analytical validation phase and in routine clinical use to guarantee highly accurate results. The SeraseqTM Solid Tumor Mutation Mix AF10 and AF20 control materials consist of 26 biosynthetic DNA constructs in a genomic DNA background, each containing a specific variant or mutation of interest and an internal quality marker at 2 distinct allelic frequencies of 10% and 20%, respectively. The goal of this interlaboratory study was to evaluate the Seraseq AF10 and AF20 control materials by verifying their performance as control materials and by evaluating their ability to measure quality metrics essential to a clinical test. Methods Performance characteristics were assessed within and between 6 CLIA-accredited laboratories and 1 research laboratory. Results Most laboratories detected all 26 mutations of interest; however, some discrepancies involving the internal quality markers were observed. Conclusion This interlaboratory study showed that the Seraseq AF10 and AF20 control materials have high quality, stability, and genomic complexity in variant types that are well suited for assisting in NGS assay analytical validation and monitoring routine clinical applications.