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TeloNostiX utilises two platform technologies for high-resolution telomere length analysis based on the underlying Single Telomere Length Analysis (STELA) assay pioneered by Professor Baird. 

The TeloNostiX technologies are ideally suited for basic, translational science and clinical applications. 

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, underpinned by a scientific and professional commitment to our clients, which ensures that we deliver reliable and accurate  results from our ISO17025 accredited laboratory.
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Our technologies require either fresh or frozen whole cells or appropriately stored high-quality DNA.

SM-STELA

Single molecule STELA. High resolution telomere analysis, requiring just 3,000 cells. Used in conjunction with high-speed cell sorting for bespoke projects.

HT-STELA

High Throughput STELA. Adapted for clinical laboratory applications with a low measurement error (intra-assay CV < 2%, inter-assay CV < 3%). Requires 50,000 cells and is ideal for large cohorts of research samples and for clinical samples.

Applications of high-resolution telomere analysis - STELA:

a) Cancer patient prognosis

Our high-resolution telomere analysis technologies have been shown to be prognostic in a wide range of haematological and non-haematological cancers, often demonstrating independent and superior prognostic value than the commonly used markers in multivariate analysis. 

Our technologies can reliably identify patients with early-stage disease that have a higher likelihood of progression. This ability may be useful for both patients and their clinicians in guiding therapeutic interventions. 

This is advantageous for individual patients, but also valuable for commercial pharma companies when considering patient selection and equilibration in clinical trials.

b) Cancer patient predictive response to anticancer therapy 

We have recently demonstrated the power of HT-STELA as a predictive biomarker of response to chemoimmunotherapy. HT-STELA was able to reliably predict the progression-free and overall survival of patients enrolled in two clinical trials. Furthermore, in multivariate analysis it was shown to be the strongest determinant of clinical outcome in the presence of all the currently used prognostic tools. 

c) Patient selection for cellular therapies

Chronic inflammation can drive premature ageing of cancer patient’s immune cells. 

Telomere length provides a marker of cell division and thus a readout of the replicative potential of cellular therapies. Furthermore, we have shown that telomere shortening in immune cells can lead to diminished cellular function - functions that are required for effective recognition and eradication of cancer cells.

Our technologies therefore have the potential to identify patients who are more suitable to cell based therapies, which may lead to improved and sustained clinical benefits in those individuals.

d) Assist the manufacturing of Cellular therapies

The industrial processes for manufacturing immune cell therapies, like CAR-T cells, are diverse but some require extensive ex vivo manipulation and expansion which can cause significant telomere erosion of the target immune cells. 

TeloNostiX technologies can help companies to maximise the efficiency of their manufacturing processes, as well as assisting with the active monitoring immune cell survival and function in the post treatment setting. 

e) Telomere disorders

Telomere disorders exhibit diverse clinical manifestations, but they share the common genetic feature of short telomeres. These so-called ‘telomeropathies’ are rare diseases but can have a huge impact on affected individuals. 

TeloNostiX offers rapid high-resolution telomere length analysis for diagnostic screening of patients with potential telomere disorders.

f) Basic and translational scientific studies

From small bespoke projects examining telomere dynamics in rare cellular subsets, to large cohort analysis. The ability to analyse small numbers of cells, but also to rapidly manage very large numbers of samples makes TeloNostiX ideally placed to assist you with your research. 

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