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Database 2: One page profiles of current genetic tests (Continued)
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31. Epidermal growth factor receptor
| Test name |
Epidermal growth factor receptor |
| Other names |
EGFR pharmDx, HER-1, Cetuximab (Erbitux) sensitivity |
| Description |
Dysregulation of the EGFR signaling pathway due to EGFR overexpression,
genetic aberrations, or other causes leads to malignant transformation.
Cetuximab inhibits binding of EGFR by EGF and transforming growth factor-α,
thereby blocking downstream signal transduction pathways and arresting
cell growth. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tissue |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Breast, prostate, lung, colorectal |
| Other cancers |
Head and neck |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Determine eligibility for cetuximab (Erbitux™) treatment
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics and UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “receptor, epidermal growth factor” = 6,983 citations
- “lung neoplasms or colorectal neoplasms or breast neoplasms
or prostatic neoplasms” = 151,099 citations
- “receptor, epidermal growth factor” and (b) = 1,358 citations
|
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32. Estrogen/progesterone receptor
| Test name |
Estrogen/progesterone receptor |
| Other names |
ER/PR |
| Description |
Breast cancers are dependent upon estrogen and/or progesterone for growth
and this effect is mediated through ERs and progesterone receptors (ER/PR).
Both receptors may be over-expressed in malignant breast tissue. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tissue |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Breast |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Predicts response to hormone therapy for women with advanced breast
cancer and those receiving adjuvant treatment.
- Prognosticates the aggressiveness of a tumor.
|
| Source of information |
UpToDate™ Web site |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “receptors, estrogen” = 10,705 citations
- “receptors, progesterone” = 3,898 citations
- “breast neoplasms” = 57,603 citations
- “receptor, estrogen” and “receptors, progesterone”
and “breast neoplasm” = 1,452 citations
|
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33. Fecal globin
| Test name |
Fecal globin |
| Other names |
InSure, FOBT |
| Description |
Cancerous and precancerous colorectal lesions tend to cause low-level
bleeding. Annual screening with a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) can decrease
colorectal cancer mortality by up to 33 percent. |
| Purpose |
Secondary prevention |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Stool |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Colorectal |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Screen for lower gastrointestinal bleeding associated with colorectal
cancer, adenomas, polyps, and other lower gastrointestinal conditions
|
| Source of information |
Quest diagnostics, UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “occult blood” = 1,087 citations
- “colorectal neoplasm” = 37,826 citations
- “occult blood” and “colorectal neoplasm” =
825 citations
|
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34. FLT 3 mutation
| Test name |
FLT 3 mutation |
| Description |
Mutations in FLT3 are common in AML and have been associated with
poorer survival in children and in younger adults with normal
cytogenetics receiving intensive chemotherapy. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Quest Diagnostics |
| Specimen |
Blood |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Predict survival in AML patients
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics and UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search |
- “receptor, protein, tyrosine kinase” = 28,203 citations
- “leukemia, myelocytic, acute” = 4,151 citations
- “receptor, protein, tyrosine kinase” and “leukemia,
myelocytic, acute” = 125 citations
|
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35. HER-2/neu
| Test name |
HER-2/neu |
| Other names |
c-erbB-2, trastuzumab (Herceptin) eligibility, HercepTest, PathVysion® |
| Description |
HER-2/neu is an oncogene encoding a growth factor receptor related to
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and is amplified in approximately
25-30 percent of node-positive breast cancers. Overexpression of HER-2/neu
is associated with decreased disease-free and overall survival. Over-expression
of HER-2/neu may be used to identify patients who may be may benefit from
trastuzumab (Herceptin™ ) and/or high dose chemotherapy. Trastuzumab
is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the HER 2/neu (c-erbB-2) oncogene. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tumor tissue, serum |
| Methodology |
IHC, FISH, EIA |
| Cancers |
Breast |
| Other cancers |
HER2/neu may also be expressed in ovarian, gastric, colorectal,
endometrial, lung, bladder, prostate, and salivary gland cancers. |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Assess prognosis of stage II, node positive breast cancer patients.
- Predict disease-free and overall survival in patients with stage II, node
positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.
- Determine patient eligibility for Herceptin treatment.
- College of American Pathologists (CAP) recommends FISH as an optimal
method for HER2/neu testing; therefore, positive IHC results are usually
confirmed by FISH testing.
|
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- HER2/neu may also be expressed in ovarian, gastric, colorectal, endometrial,
lung, bladder, prostate, and salivary gland.
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Specialty Labs Web sites, UpToDate™ |
| Exploratory Medline search (5/12/05) |
- “receptor, erbB-2” = 4,028 citations
- “receptor, erbB-2” and “breast neoplasms” (55886)
= 1,905 citations
- “receptor, erbB-2” and “ovarian neoplasms” (15334)
= 239 citations
|
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36. 5-HIAA
| Test name |
5-HIAA |
| Other names |
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid |
| Description |
A serotonin analysis is most frequently performed for the diagnosis of
carcinoid tumors of the small intestine. These tumors release large amounts
of serotonin, which can produce the clinical syndrome of flushing, diarrhea,
and right-sided heart failure. 5-HIAA is the final metabolite of
serotonin and is the most frequently used diagnostic test for carcinoid
tumors. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Urine |
| Methodology |
Liquid chromatography |
| Cancers |
Carcinoid tumors |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Diagnosis of metastatic carcinoid tumors
|
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- May be used as a prognostic factor in this disease; however, poor correlation
exists between 5-HIAA level and clinical severity of carcinoid syndrome
|
| Source of information |
LabCorp, UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid” = 1,270 citations
- “Carcinoid tumor” = 2,255 citations
- “Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid” and “Carcinoid
tumor” = 78 citations
|
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37. Human papillomavirus hybrid capture
| Test name |
Human papillomavirus hybrid capture |
| Other names |
HPV, ThinPrep |
| Description |
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common infection that is associated
with cancer. Although HPV infection does not always progress to cancer, > 93
percent of cervical cancer cases are associated with HPV. This test detects
13 viral strains that are associated with an intermediate to high risk
of cancer. |
| Purpose |
Secondary prevention |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Pap smear |
| Methodology |
DNA probe cocktail |
| Cancers |
Cervical cancer |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Determine need for colposcopy in individuals with atypical squamous
cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS) found on Pap test
- Assist in guiding patient management (as adjunct to cervical cytology)
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/02/05) |
- “Papillomavirus, Human” = 6,318 citations
- “Cervix Neoplasms” = 12,280 citations
- “Papillomavirus, Human” and “Cervix Neoplasms”
2,661 citations
|
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38. IgVh mutation analysis
| Test name |
IgVh mutation analysis |
| Description |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients can be divided into two
basic groups on the basis of the mutational status of the immunoglobulin
heavy-chain variable-region (IgVH) gene in leukemic cells. Patients with
IgVH mutations have longer survival than those without IgVH mutation.
Thus, mutation analysis may be useful for planning management strategies. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, marrow |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Assess prognosis for patients with CLL.
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics and UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Immunoglobulin Variable Region” = 3,919 citations
- “Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic” = 3,422 citations
- “Immunoglobulin Variable Region” and “Leukemia, Lymphocytic,
Chronic” = 126 citations
|
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Contents
39. ImmunoCyt
| Test name |
ImmunoCyt |
| Other names |
Mucin, CEA |
| Description |
An immunocytochemistry assay for the detection of tumor cells shed in
the urine of patients previously diagnosed with bladder cancer. This test
is intended to augment the sensitivity of cytology for the detection of
tumor cells in the urine of individuals previously diagnosed with bladder
cancer. |
| Purpose |
Recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Urine |
| Methodology |
Cytology, ICC |
| Cancers |
Bladder cancer |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detection of tumor cells in the urine of individuals previously diagnosed
with bladder cancer
- Indicated for use in conjunction with cytoscopy as an aid in the management
of bladder cancer
|
| Source of information |
LabCorp and UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Carcinoembryonic Antigen” = 2,785 citations
- “Bladder Neoplasms” = 9,483 citations
- “Carcinoembryonic Antigen” and “Bladder
Neoplasms” = 33 citations
|
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40. Kappa/lambda light chain
| Test name |
Kappa/lambda light chain |
| Description |
Elevated serum levels of monoclonal free light chains are associated
with malignant plasma cell proliferation (e.g., multiple myeloma), primary
amyloidosis, and light chain deposition disease. The appearance of higher
levels of free light chains in the urine may be indicative of kidney disease
or malignant lymphoproliferative disease such as multiple myeloma. |
| Purpose |
Monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Serum, tissue, urine |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Multiple myeloma, lymphoproliferative disorders |
| Other cancers |
Primary amyloidosis, light chain deposition disease |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detection of multiple myeloma
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “immunoglobulins, light chains” = 2,376 citations
- “multiple myeloma” = 6,154 citations
- “lymphoproliferative disorders” = 59,066 citations
- “immunoglobulins, light chains” and “multiple
myeloma” = 258 citations
- “immunoglobulins, light chains” and “lymphoproliferative
disorders” = 534 citations
|
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41. LAP
| Test name |
LAP |
| Other names |
Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase |
| Description |
Low LAP scores have been associated with CML, PNH, and thrombocytopenic
purpura. In CML, regardless of the total WBC, the LAP score remains low.
High LAP scores have been seen in polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, aplastic
anemia, hairy cell leukemia, leukemoid reactions, and Hodgkin's disease. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, bone marrow |
| Methodology |
Enzyme assay |
| Cancers |
Chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) |
| Other cancers |
Polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, aplastic anemia, paroxysmal
nocturnal hemoglobinuria, hairy cell leukemia, leukemoid reactions, lymphoma |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Aids in differential diagnosis of chronic myelocytic leukemia vs.
leukamoid reaction
- Aids in evaluation of polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis with myeloid
metaplasia, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
|
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- Serial LAP scores can be a useful adjunct in evaluating the activity
in Hodgkin's disease, as well as its response to therapy.
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, UpToDate™ Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “alkaline phosphatase ” = 7,889 citations
- “testicular neoplasm ” = 4,487 citations
- “alkaline phosphatase ” and “testicular neoplasm” =
34 citations
|
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42. Lipid associated sialic acid
| Test name |
Lipid associated sialic acid |
| Other names |
LASA; Lipid-Bound Sialic Acid |
| Description |
Elevations in blood LASA levels have been reported in patients with mammary
(63 percent), gastroenteric (65 percent), pulmonary (79 percent), and ovarian
(94 percent) neoplasms as well as those with leukemia (86 percent), lymphoma
(87 percent), melanoma (84 percent), sarcoma (97 percent), and Hodgkin
disease (91 percent). As a result, this assay may not have high specificity
or sensitivity necessary for cancer detection. |
| Purpose |
Recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Serum |
| Methodology |
Spectrophotometry |
| Cancers |
Breast, lung, colorectal, pancreas, ovarian, liver, lymphoma, leukemia,
melanoma, neuroblastoma, uterine, sarcoma |
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- Monitoring the course of therapy
- Detecting disease recurrence
|
| Source of information |
LabCorps Web site |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “lipid associated sialic acid.mp” = 15 citations
- “N-acetylneuraminic acid” = 1,496 citations
- “neoplasms” = 571,042 citations
- “lipid associated sialic acid.mp” and
“neoplasms” = 9 citations
- “N-acetylneuraminic acid” and “neoplasms” =
194 citations
|
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43. Melaris
| Test name |
Melaris |
| Other names |
p16 |
| Description |
p16 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates cellular proliferation
and growth by acting as a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor. This
test determines if a patient has a p16 gene mutation, indicating a predisposition
for melanoma and pancreatic cancer. |
| Purpose |
Primary prevention |
| Availability |
Myriadtests.com |
| Specimen |
Blood |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Melanoma, pancreas |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Screening for hereditary melanoma
|
| Source of information |
Myriad Tests Web site |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “genes, p16” = 990 citations
- “melanoma” = 17,770 citations
- “neoplasms, pancreatic” = 12,470 citations
- “genes, p16” and “melanoma” = 136 citations
- “genes, p16” and “pancreatic neoplasms” = 66 citations
|
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44. MIB-1 antibody
| Test name |
MIB-1 antibody |
| Other names |
Ki-67 antigen |
| Description |
There is a strong correlation between proliferation rate and clinical
outcome in a variety of tumor types and measurement of cell proliferative
activity is an important prognostic marker. This marker correlates with
flow cytometric S-phase. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tissue |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Breast, lymphomas, anaplastic large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Tissue marker for large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Assess tumor proliferative rate, determine disease prognosis
- Direct disease management
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Specialty Laboratories Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/02/05) |
- “Ki-67 Antigen” = 4,840 citations
- “Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin” = 22160 citations
- “Ki-67 Antigen” and “Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin” = 117
citations
|
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45. Micrometastasis detection
| Test name |
Micrometastasis detection |
| Other names |
Cytokeratins |
| Description |
Cytokeratins are expressed by both normal and malignant epithelial cells,
but not by lymph node or bone marrow cells. Thus, the presence of cytokeratin-positive
cells in lymph nodes or the bone marrow is suggestive of metastatic tumor.
Multiple chromosomal aberrations in these suspected cytokeratin-positive
micrometastases further substantiate that these cells are tumor cells. |
| Purpose |
Recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Marrow, tissue |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Breast |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detect micrometastases of epithelial cell origin (e.g., breast cancer)
- Determine the stage of epithelial cancers
- Predict cancer recurrence/relapse and overall prognosis
|
| Source of information |
Specialty Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “cytokeratin” or “keratin” = 8,784 citations
- “Breast Neoplasms” = 57,603 citations
- “Neoplasm Metastasis” = 32,119 citations
- “cytokeratin” or “keratin” and “Breast
Neoplasms” and “Neoplasm Metastasis” = 263 citations
|
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46. Microsatellite instability
| Test name |
Microsatellite instability |
| Other names |
MSI, BAT 26, RER+ |
| Description |
MSI is a marker for faulty DNA repair and is found in 90 percent of patients
with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) but in only 15
percent of sporadic colorectal tumors. HNPCC (Lynch syndrome) is characterized
by an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of early-onset predisposition
to colorectal cancer (average age 44 years). MSI is helpful in determining
if colorectal cancer is due to HNPCC and whether further genetic testing
of patients or their family members for HNPCC-associated mutations. |
| Purpose |
Primary and secondary prevention, diagnostic, prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial labs, academic institutions |
| Specimen |
Blood, tumor tissue DNA |
| Methodology |
HPCR |
| Cancers |
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer |
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- Identify colorectal tumors with high microsatellite instability
- Identify individuals at risk for HNPCC
- Identifying HNPCC in affected patients is also important since close
surveillance of at-risk family members has been found to reduce the rate
of colorectal cancer and overall mortality by > 60 percent
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Specialty Labs Web sites, UpToDate™ |
| Exploratory Medline search (5/12/05) |
- “microsatellite repeats” = 15,030 citations
- “colorectal neoplasms” = 36,712 citations
- “colorectal neoplasms, hereditary nonpolyposis” =
1,318 citations
- “microsatellite repeats” and “colorectal
neoplasms” = 1,217 citations
- “microsatellite repeats” and “colorectal neoplasms,
hereditary nonpolyposis” = 410 citations
|
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