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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Sequencing Assay Adopted for Advanced Lung Cancer Reflex Testing

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 Dec 2018
Guidelines are rapidly moving toward upfront profiling with next-generation sequencing (NGS) of all advanced lung cancers, but there are still practical issues with this testing method that can limit clinical testing and prevent or delay patients being started on targeted therapies.

The growing number of genomically targeted therapies has made genomic testing an important part of the care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. More...
However, limited tissue availability, cost and long turnaround times can create barriers to efficient genomic testing and subsequent treatment. Effective approaches to reduce these barriers are needed.

A team of scientists collaborating with the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (Cleveland, OH, USA) tested 302 advanced lung adenocarcinomas from consecutive patients using a hybrid DNA/RNA NGS panel. Sample testing was reflexed from pathology for all stage III or IV tumors. Genomic alterations were tiered according to their clinical relevance and reported with guideline-recommended therapies.

The investigators used the Oncomine Focus Assay, which is an NGS oncology assay designed to simultaneously analyze hundreds of variants across 52 genes relevant to solid tumors. The assay enables concurrent analysis of DNA and RNA in a single workflow to detect hot spots, single nucleotide variants, indels, copy number variants, and gene fusions in various types of solid tumors. The clinicians validated the assay for use at the UHCMC CLIA-certified translational laboratory and expanded it to include 17 new biomarkers.

With a sample cohort consisting of 64% biopsies, 16% excisions/resections and 20% fine needle aspirations, the assay was reliable with a 95% success rate. The average turnaround time from receipt of unstained formalin-fixed paraffin embedded slides to reporting was 4.8±2.1 days, half of the recommended 10 days and similar to single-gene testing. Through testing, the clinicians found alterations associated with Food and Drug Administration-approved or the National Cancer Center Network (NCCN) guideline-recommended targeted therapies in 18% of cases, and they sent 60% of those patients for genomically guided therapies.

Joydeep Goswami, PhD, MBA, president of clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology for Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, “Perhaps the most important finding in this study is the ability to identify a much broader set of relevant targets in half the time recommended by NCCN guidelines, without increasing cost to the hospital. Single assay, multibiomarker tests with low tissue sample requirements allow more patients to access targeted therapies and lead to significantly higher test success rates, while simultaneously reducing total cost of care.” The study was published in the December 2018 issue of the Journal of Clinical Pathology.

Related Links:
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center


New
Gold Member
Latex Test
SLE-Latex Test
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Automated PCR Setup
ESTREAM
New
Automated Microscope
dIFine
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.