
Oncology panel (FFPE)
Cancers are caused by somatic mutations that occur in the DNA during lifetime. Somatic mutations can occur in any of the cells of the body except the germ cells (sperm and egg) and therefore are not passed on to children. They occur in the genomes of all dividing cells, both normal and neoplastic. They may occur as a result of misincorporation during DNA replication or through exposure to exogenous or endogenous mutagens. These alterations can (but do not always) cause cancer or other diseases.
Tumorigenesis in humans is a multistep process and that these steps reflect genetic alterations that drive the progressive transformation of normal human cells into highly malignant derivatives. Cancer treatment decisions are increasingly made on the basis of genomic information contained in the genes. This test detects various multiple relevant biomarkers in a single next-generation sequencing (NGS) test by focusing on precision oncology.
This test also identifies these driver mutations and helps in identifying targeted therapies, prognosis and clinical trials applicable to the patient.
Prominent technical features of Oncology panel (FFPE) are:
Enables the detection of variants in 161 key solid tumor genes. These genes are well characterized in the published literature and associated with oncology drugs that are FDA approved, part of NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines, or in clinical trials.
They allow detection of single nucleotide variants (SNVs), copy number variations (CNVs), gene fusions, and Indels in a single workflow.
Uses formalin fixed, paraffin embedded – FFPE tissues as starting sample. This test is well characterized with molecular standards and controls necessary for validation.
Liquid Biopsy Panel
Cancer leads to formation of tumor. However, obtaining a tissue sample could be challenging. This leads to limiting amounts of tumor tissue being collected which is expected to be used for multiple and different types of investigations.
Often the investigations can’t be done due to the lack of sample. This test is noninvasive and cost-effective alternative to traditional biopsy samples, especially in lung and breast cancers.
Cancer also evolves Over time. Cancer may relapse after treatment of primary tumor. This relapse occurs due to change its genome. Liquid Biopsy can give snapshots of evolving cancer genome when the test is performed at period intervals. This information can help the oncologist pre-empt and modify treatment regimen.
Prominent technical features of Liquid Biopsy Panel are:
Detection of somatic mutations in plasma, down to a level of o.1% in genes relevant to solid tumors.
Analysis of single nucleotide variants, short indels, copy number variations, and fusions that are frequently mutated in research cancer samples.
150 hotspots in 11 genes focused on solid tumors, are analyzed.
Sample type: whole blood.