An advanced cancer molecular testing laboratory can provide complete information on some 562 cancer-related genes with a turn-around time of less than two weeks.

Ashion Analytics (Phoenix, AZ, USA) a [US] Food and Drug Administration CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certified and CAP (College of American Pathologists)-accredited molecular cancer testing laboratory is now offering its Genomic Enabled Medicine (GEM) Cancer Panel to assist doctors in treating cancer patients.

The 562 gene panel includes coding regions for 540 genes, and non-coding regions for an additional 22 genes that are known to be structurally rearranged or altered in cancer. Additional regions for the identification of specific structural variants are also included. Samples are tested at the company's Phoenix (AZ, USA) laboratory utilizing the targeted enrichment method followed by sequencing on an Illumina, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) HiSeq 2500 analytical instrument. The HiSeq 2500 System is a powerful and efficient ultra-high-throughput sequencing system that supports the broadest range of applications and study sizes. Results are evaluated using methods that include analysis of single nucleotide variants, insertions/deletions, structural variants, focal and whole genome copy number.

Ashion Analytics also supports research studies and clinical trials for investigators in university, hospital, and pharmaceutical industry settings with expanded whole exome sequencing with its GEM-GWTM test, which also includes analysis of copy number events and structural variation, as well as RNA sequencing.

"Our understanding of genomics today is fundamentally changing the way we view and treat cancer, and we believe the future holds even greater promise," said Dr. Michael Demeure, executive vice-president and general manager of Ashion Analytics. "As a physician who continues to treat cancer patients, I see every day the critical need to develop better diagnostics as well as new, more effective and less toxic treatment options. This unmet need drives all our efforts at Ashion Analytics."

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