We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Molecular Technology Identifies Potential Biomarker for Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Apr 2018
Print article
Image: The QX200 AutoDG Droplet Digital PCR System provides absolute quantification of target DNA or RNA molecules for EvaGreen and probe-based ddPCR applications (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad).
Image: The QX200 AutoDG Droplet Digital PCR System provides absolute quantification of target DNA or RNA molecules for EvaGreen and probe-based ddPCR applications (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad).
For patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the only recommended treatment option is surgery. After complete resection patients with disease at the same stage experience different outcomes, and within five years a third of patients relapse.

Prognostic biomarkers are urgently needed to more accurately predict recurrence following surgery and potentially guide the decision to administer adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk patients. The use of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) technology in the clinic is increasing due to the technology's ability to reliably detect and quantify these biomarkers, as well as ddPCR's technical simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness.

Scientists collaborating with the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD, USA) evaluated the prognostic significance of two biomarkers, namely Homeobox A9 (HOXA9) promoter methylation and blood vessel invasion (BVI), for risk stratification of stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients. The type of biospecimens and the choice of assay platform are key issues to foster translation of biomarkers to the clinic. The team demonstrated the application of a ddPCR-based assay to analyze HOXA9 promoter methylation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens, generated during routine pathologic assessment of resected patients.

The investigators used 177 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples, and showed that high methylation was associated with worse cancer-specific survival (Hazard Ratio [HR], 3.37) and identified high-risk stage IA and IB patients. Importantly, addition of this molecular marker improved a risk model comprising clinical and pathologic parameters. HOXA9 promoter methylation was associated with a transcriptome signature enriched in genes marked by Polycomb in Embryonic Stem Cells, a signature previously associated with poor differentiation and worse overall patient survival. Moreover, BVI was independently associated with poor outcome (HR, 2.62) and a score that combined BVI with HOXA9 promoter methylation further stratified high-risk patients.

The authors concluded that their results support the use of ddPCR to quantify HOXA9 promoter methylation and BVI determination from routine pathology FFPE specimens, to identify patients at high risk of recurrence. The findings could help inform patient management in prospective clinical trials that evaluate the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage invasive lung adenocarcinoma to prevent recurrence. The study was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, held April 14-18, 2018, in Chicago, IL, USA.

Related Links:
National Cancer Institute

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Real-time PCR System
GentierX3 Series

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The QIAstat-Dx Analyzer 2.0 with remote test results access enhances collaboration across the healthcare system (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN)

Upgraded Syndromic Testing Analyzer Enables Remote Test Results Access

QIAGEN (Venlo, the Netherlands) has released the QIAstat-Dx Analyzer 2.0, including the Software 1.6 upgrade. This represents a significant advancement from the initial QIAstat-Dx Analyzer 1.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.