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Database 2: One
page profiles of current genetic tests (Continued)
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47. MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 mutations
| Test name |
MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 mutations |
| Other names |
HNPCC mismatch repair gene |
| Description |
About 90 percent of individuals with HNPCC have mutations in one of two
mismatch repair (MMR) genes, MLH1 or MSH2. Mutations in MSH6, PMS1, and
PMS2 have also been implicated in this malignancy. These genes are responsible
for correcting nucleotide base mispairs and small insertions or deletions
that occur during DNA replication. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer
in individuals with an MMR gene mutation is about 80 percent. |
| Purpose |
Primary prevention |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Colorectal |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Differentiate hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) from
non-HNPCC colorectal cancer
- Assess risk of HNPCC in family members of individuals with HNPCC
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “MLH1” = 1,285 citations
- “MSH2” = 887 citations
- “MSH6” = 294 citations
- “colorectal neoplasm” = 37,826 citations
- (“MLH1” or “MSH2” or “MSH6”)
and “colorectal neoplasms” = 792 citations
|
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Contents
48. Neuron specific enolase
| Test name |
Neuron specific enolase |
| Other names |
NSE |
| Description |
NSE is a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of phosphoglycerate
to phosphoenol pyruvate. Elevated NSE concentrations are observed in patients
with neuroblastoma, pancreatic islet cell carcinoma, medullary thyroid
carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neuroendocrine tumors. Additionally,
NSE levels are frequently increased in patients with small cell lung cancer
(SCLC) and infrequently in patients with non-SCLC. |
| Purpose |
Monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Serum |
| Methodology |
RIA |
| Cancers |
Lung, pancreas |
| Other cancers |
Neuroblastoma, carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma
and other neuroendocrine tumors. |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Monitor disease progression and therapy in individuals with small cell
lung cancer
- Monitor effectiveness of therapy in various other cancers
|
| Source of information |
Specialty Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “neuron specific enolase” = 1,577 citations
- “lung neoplasms” = 37,232 citations
- “neuron specific enolase” and “lung neoplasms” = 223
citations
|
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49. Nuclear matrix proteins
| Test name |
Nuclear matrix proteins |
| Other names |
NMP 22 |
| Description |
Nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) are associated with functions such as
DNA replication and RNA synthesis. Identification of increased concentrations
of NMP 22 can aid in the management of patients with transitional cell
carcinoma of the urinary tract and also in the differential \
diagnosis of persons with symptoms or risk factors for transitional cell
carcinoma of the bladder. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Urine |
| Methodology |
EIA |
| Cancers |
Bladder |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Diagnosis of bladder cancer
- Monitor patients for bladder cancer recurrence
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “nuclear matrix-associated proteins”= 830 citations
- “NMP 22” = 25 citations
- “bladder neoplasms” = 9,483 citations
- “NMP 22” and “neoplasms, bladder” = 23 citations
- “nuclear matrix-associated proteins” and “bladder
neoplasms” = 3 citations
|
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Contents
50. Oncotype DX™
| Test name |
Oncotype DX™ |
| Other names |
Breast cancer assay |
| Description |
Oncotype DX is an assay that quantifies the likelihood of breast cancer
recurrence in women with newly diagnosed, stage I or II, node negative,
estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who will be treated with Tamoxifen.
The assay analyzes the expression of a panel of 21 genes and the results
are provided as a Recurrence Score™ (0-100). Using the Recurrence
score, patients are classified into low, intermediate, and high risk categories
for likelihood of disease recurrence. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Limited commercial availability via Genomic Health (Redwood City, CA),
academic institutions participating in clinical trials. |
| Specimen |
Tumor tissue RNA |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Breast |
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- To assess risk of recurrence in certain breast cancer patients and
thus aid in treatment planning
|
| Source of information |
Genomic Health Web site and promotional material |
| Exploratory Medline search (5/12/05) |
- “gene assay” = 599 citations
- “breast neoplasms” = 55,886 citations
- “gene assay” and “breast neoplasms” = 33 citations
- “oncotype dx” or “oncotype” = 4 citations
- company Web site = 11 citations: 2 publications, 9 abstracts
|
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51. p53 tumor suppressor gene
| Test name |
p53 tumor suppressor gene |
| Other names |
p53 |
| Description |
p53 is a tumor suppressor gene and normally has an inhibitory influence
on the cell cycle. Once this gene is deleted or its function reduced, normal
control mechanisms are altered. Alterations of the p53 tumor suppressor
gene have been shown to serve as a powerful prognostic marker in a wide
variety of tumor types such as colorectal, breast, prostate, and bladder.
Additionally, alterations of p53 are associated with tumor recurrence and
shorter disease-free survival. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tissue |
| Methodology |
IHC |
| Cancers |
Breast, prostate, colorectal |
| Other cancers |
Bladder |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Determine prognosis in patients with colorectal, breast, prostate,
bladder cancers
- Predict disease recurrence
- Predict disease free survival
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (5/25/05) |
- “genes, P53” = 7,910 citations
- “colonic neoplasms” = 15,654 citations
- “genes, P53” and “colonic neoplasms” = 276 citations
|
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52. PML/RARA translocation
| Test name |
PML/RARA translocation |
| Other names |
t(15;17) |
| Description |
More than 99 percent of (acute promyelocytic leukemia) APL patients harbor
a translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17, which fuses the retinoic
acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene on chromosome 17 with the PML gene on chromosome
15. Historically one of the most lethal forms of acute myeloid leukemia,
APL leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation and death when not
diagnosed and treated. Treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid substantially
improves survival in patients who have failed anthracycline chemotherapy
or for whom anthracycline is contraindicated. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, prognostic, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, marrow |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Acute promeylocytic leukemia |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
- Predict response to all-trans-retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide therapy
- Assess effectiveness of therapy
- Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD)
- Predict early relapse
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “translocation, genetic” = 7,693 citations
- “leukemia, promyelocytic, acute” = 1,954 citations
- “translocation, genetic” and “leukemia, promyelocytic,
acute” = 274 citations
|
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Contents
53. PreGen-26
| Test name |
PreGen-26 |
| Other names |
MSI, BAT-26 |
| Description |
Isolates human DNA in stool and detects microsatellite instability usually
associated with HNPCC and in a subset of sporadic colorectal cancers. PreGen-26
identifies alterations in the BAT-26 mononucleotide marker, believed to
be the most frequent alteration found in tissue in HNPCC. BAT-26 microsatellite
instability is present in as many as 90 percent of the colorectal cancers
that occur in patients with HNPCC. PreGen-26 results can help to determine
which patients are likely to have the presence of cancer with BAT-26 MSI. |
| Purpose |
Primary and secondary prevention, monitoring |
| Availability |
LabCorp |
| Specimen |
Stool DNA |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Colorectal |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Adjunct to colonoscopy for monitoring patients with HNPCC and family
members of patients with HNPCC
- May be used as an alternative method to monitor patients with known
or suspected HNPCC syndrome who are non-compliant with current
screening recommendations.
|
| Source of information |
Exact Sciences, LabCorp Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “microsatellite repeats” = 15,424 citations
- “colorectal neoplasms” = 37,826 citations
- “microsatellite repeats” and “colorectal neoplasms” =
1,265 citations
|
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54. PreGen-Plus™
| Test name |
PreGen-Plus™ |
| Other names |
DNA-based colorectal cancer test |
| Description |
PreGen-Plus is a noninvasive screening test designed to detect clinically
significant colorectal cancer. PreGen-Plus consists of a panel of 23 individual
tests, each looking for the presence of mutations in human DNA isolated
from stool. Three distinct technologies look for the presence of mutations
in the k-ras oncogene, the APC and p53 tumor suppressor genes, shortened
forms of BAT-26 (microsatellite instability), and a novel marker for
disordered apoptosis. |
| Purpose |
Secondary prevention, monitoring |
| Availability |
Developed by EXACT Sciences, available commercially at LabCorp exclusively. |
| Specimen |
Stool DNA |
| Methodology |
PCR |
| Cancers |
Colorectal |
Clinical use(s)
b) Investigational |
- Detection of clinically significant colorectal neoplasia in
asymptomatic, average-risk patients 50 years old and older
- An adjunctive test for those patients who receive an fecal occult blood
test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy
- May enhance current methods for early detection of colorectal cancer
|
| Source of information |
Exact Sciences, LabCorp Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (5/12/05) |
- “genes, ras” or “genes, apc” or “genes,
p53” or “microsatellite, repeats” = 26,861 citations
- “colorectal neoplasms” = 36,712 citations
- “feces” and “DNA” = 1,162 citations
- “feces” and “DNA” and “colorectal
neoplasms” = 62 citations
- a) and d) = 25 citations
|
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55. Prostate Specific Antigen
| Test name |
Prostate Specific Antigen |
| Other names |
PSA: free, total, ultra-sensitive, with HAMA |
| Description |
PSA is elevated in about 30 percent of all cases with nodular prostatic
enlargement. Circulating PSA exists as two major forms: complexed and free.
Bound PSA is found in higher concentrations in patients with prostate cancer
and free-PSA concentrations are higher in patients with Benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH). PSA can be used to aid in the management of patients
following surgical or medical treatment for prostate cancer. |
| Purpose |
Secondary prevention, prognostic, recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood |
| Methodology |
ICMA, IRMA, EIA, MEIA |
| Cancers |
Prostate |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detection of early prostate cancer
- Improve accuracy of staging prior to surgery
- Monitor patient response to therapy
- Detect disease recurrence
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, Specialty Labs, Abbott Diagnostics, UpToDate |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “prostate-specific antigen” = 7,096 citations
- prostatic neoplasms” = 25,690 citations
- “prostate-specific antigen” and “prostatic
neoplasms” = 6,084 citations
|
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56. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement
| Test name |
T-cell receptor gene rearrangement |
| Description |
Study intended to provide some evidence that can help to distinguish
between benign lymphadenopathy and malignant lymphoma. Specifically used
to detect clonal gene rearrangements in the T-cell receptor beta-chain
constant region. The presence of a monoclonal gene rearrangement usually,
but not always, reflects the presence of a T-lymphocytic neoplasm while
polyclonal gene rearrangement patterns are found in benign reactive conditions. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, marrow, tissue |
| Methodology |
Southern blot analysis |
| Cancers |
T-cell malignancies, lymphomas and leukemias |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Leukemia and lymphoma lineage determination for prognosis and treatment
selection
- Detection of minimal residual disease or recurrent disease
|
| Source of information |
LabCorp and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte” = 1,735 citations
- “Lymphoma, T-Cell” = 4,837 citations
- “Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte” and “Lymphoma,
T-Cell” = 303 citations
|
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57. TEL/AML 1 gene fusion
| Test name |
TEL/AML 1 gene fusion |
| Other names |
t(12;21) |
| Description |
The TEL/AML1 is a gene fusion resulting from a t(12;21)(p13;q22) chromosomal
translocation. Although it occurs in only about 3 percent of adult acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases, it is the most common genetic rearrangement
in B-lineage pediatric ALL (frequency ~25 percent). The TEL/AML1 gene fusion
is associated with a more favorable prognosis as evidenced by a significantly
lower relapse rate. |
| Purpose |
Diagnostic, prognostic, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, marrow |
| Methodology |
FISH |
| Cancers |
Leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Differential diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Determine prognosis of patients with ALL
- Monitor patients with ALL
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Oncogene Proteins, Fusion” = 3798 citations
- “Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute” = 7786 citations
- “Oncogene Proteins, Fusion” and “Leukemia, Lymphocytic,
Acute” = 453 citations
|
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Contents
58. Thyroglobulin
| Test name |
Thyroglobulin |
| Description |
Thyroglobulin is elevated in differential thyroid tumors. Thyroglobulin
is a tumor marker useful to assess the presence of residual papillary-follicular
carcinoma of thyroid following resection, including tumors that fail to
concentrate radioiodine. Additionally, thyroglobulin assays are used to
monitor postoperative thyroid carcinoma patients. |
| Purpose |
Recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Serum |
| Methodology |
ICMA |
| Cancers |
Thyroid carcinoma |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detection of residual disease following resection
- Monitor therapeutic response
- Detect disease recurrence
|
| Source of information |
LabCorp and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Thyroglobulin” = 1,501 citations
- “Thyroid neoplasms” = 9,062 citations
- “Thyroglobulin” and “Thyroid neoplasms” =
578 citations
|
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59. Tumor antigen 90 immune complex
| Test name |
Tumor antigen 90 immune complex |
| Other names |
TA90-IC |
| Description |
TA90 is a 90-kd tumor-associated antigen that is expressed by > 70
percent of melanomas. After curative resection of malignant melanoma, patients
with occult metastasis may exhibit elevated levels of a TA90-IgG immune
complex. TA90-IC is a sensitive and specific marker of recurrence
in patients with malignant melanoma and is associated with shortened survival. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic, recurrence, monitoring |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Serum |
| Methodology |
EIA |
| Cancers |
Melanoma |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Assess prognosis after curative resection of malignant melanoma
- Monitor patients for melanoma recurrence after curative resection
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagostics and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Melanoma” = 17,770 citations
- “Antigens, Neoplasm” = 25,465 citations
- “Melanoma” and “Antigens, Neoplasm”
= 1,128 citations
|
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60. Urokinase plasminogen activator
| Test name |
Urokinase plasminogen activator |
| Other names |
uPA, PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor) |
| Description |
The serine protease urokinase-type
plasminogen activator (uPA) and its
primary inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), have
shown promise for risk assessment and prediction of therapeutic response
in primary breast cancer. High levels of uPA or PAI-1 in primary tumor
tissue are associated with an aggressive disease course and poor prognosis
in both node-positive and node-negative breast cancer. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Tissue |
| Methodology |
EIA |
| Cancers |
Breast |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Assess risk of breast cancer recurrence after primary treatment
- Assess need for adjuvant therapy in women with lymph node-negative
breast cancer
- Predict therapeutic response to adjuvant chemotherapy
|
| Source of information |
Quest diagnostics |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1” = 3,320 citations
- “Urinary Plasminogen Activator” = 3,442 citations
- “Breast Neoplasms” = 57,603 citations
- “Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1” and “Breast
Neoplasms” = 142 citations
|
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Contents
61. Urovysion
| Test name |
Urovysion |
| Other names |
Vysis Urovision |
| Description |
Detects chromosomal abnormalities
associated with the development and
progression of bladder cancer. Specifically, this test detects aneuploidy
of chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and loss of the 9p21 locus. It detects high grade
pT1 and pTis tumors that can be overlooked with traditional diagnostic methods
and have high progression rates to muscle-invasive cancer |
| Purpose |
Recurrence |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Urine |
| Methodology |
FISH |
| Cancers |
Bladder |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Detection of bladder cancer recurrence
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics, Urovision, and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Urovysion” = 17 citations
- “Bladder Neoplasms” = 9,483 citations
- “Urovysion” and “Bladder Neoplasms” = 16 citations
|
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Contents
62. ZAP-70
| Test name |
ZAP-70 |
| Description |
ZAP-70 is a 70-kD member of the Syk family of protein tyrosine
kinases. It is expressed primarily in T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells
and is critical for signal transduction following T-cell receptor engagement.
In CLL B-cells, elevated ZAP-70 expression appears to predict the
need for therapy as effectively as IgVH mutation status. Although ZAP-70
expression is strongly correlated with IgVH mutation status, the combination
of the two markers may provide greater prognostic value than either marker
alone. Positive ZAP-70 results predict an aggressive disease course. |
| Purpose |
Prognostic |
| Availability |
Commercial laboratories, academic hospitals |
| Specimen |
Blood, marrow |
| Methodology |
Flow cytometry |
| Cancers |
CLL |
Clinical use(s)
a) Routine: |
- Assess prognosis and need for aggressive therapy in patients with
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
|
| Source of information |
Quest Diagnostics and UpToDate Web sites |
| Exploratory Medline search (8/2/05) |
- “Protein-Tyrosine Kinase” = 45,983 citations
- “Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic” = 3,422 citations
- “Protein-Tyrosine Kinase” and “Leukemia, Lymphocytic,
Chronic” = 62 citations
|
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|