Clear, concise results with expert guidance, interpretation and personal counselling.
We provide predictive genetic testing as well as diagnostic testing and testing to guide the treatment of sporadic cancers.
Unilabs has a comprehensive range of testing and expertise available to enhance cancer diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection and monitoring. We have targeted services for hereditary and somatic cancer, and numerous cancer-specific gene panels available.
Genetic testing for diagnosing and treating cancer
Genetic testing can help you confirm a diagnosis, determine the type of tumour, determine which treatment will be most effective as well as monitor the patient’s treatment and remission.
A selection of genetics panels for Oncologists:
Constitutional Risk of Cancer
Breast cancer (BRCA1/BRCA2)
Genetic testing of breast cancer-related genes may confirm the genetic origin of breast cancer and can help guide treatment and management decisions. Identification of a disease-causing variant would also guide testing and diagnosis of at-risk relatives if the variant is of constitutional origin.
This test is recommended for: The BRCA1/BRCA2 panel is designed for individuals with family history of breast/ovarian cancer with a previously identified pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Referral reasons for hereditary breast cancer could include onset of cancer before the age of 50, more than one primary cancer in a patient, and multiple affected people within a family. This panel is also recommended for patients suffering of breast, or ovarian or prostate cancer.
TAT: 2 weeks | Sample: Blood (two 4 ml EDTA tubes, purple top) or Extracted DNA (3 ug in elution buffer) or Buccal Swab or Saliva (kits available upon request). Tissue section laid on standard glass slides can be sent for tumour genotyping (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5µm sections ) of FFPE tissue with min 20% tumour cells)
Breast cancer (Extended gene panel)
The breast cancer extended panel examines genes associated with an increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. This test includes both well-established breast cancer susceptibility genes, as well as candidate genes with limited evidence of an association with breast cancer.
This test is recommended for: Patients with personal or family history that suggests hereditary breast cancer syndrome. Referral reasons for hereditary breast cancer could include onset of cancer before the age of 50, more than one primary cancer in a patient, and multiple affected people within a family.
TAT: 2-3 weeks | Sample: Blood (two 4 ml EDTA tubes, lavender top) or Extracted DNA (3 ug in elution buffer) or Buccal Swab or Saliva (kits available upon request)
Colorectal cancer
This targeted panel investigates genes known to be associated with HNPCC or FAP related cancers.
TAT: 20-30 days | Sample: Saliva or peripheral blood | Technology: NGS sequencing
LIQUID BIOPSY (LUNG CANCER/EGFR TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR (TKI) RESISTANT MUTATION T790M AND C797S)
Liquid biopsy, which analyzes biological fluids especially blood specimen to detect tumour variants has been rapidly introduced and represents a promising potency in clinical practice of lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
TAT: 20-30 days | Sample: Peripheral blood drawn into special tubes (Streck(R) or cfPAXgene(R)). Minimum of 9 ml anticoagulated whole blood or plasma are required | Technology: NGS sequencing
Onco Risk Extended
This targeted panel is appropriate when phenotype is not very specific.
TAT: 20-30 days | Sample: Saliva or peripheral blood | Technology: NGS sequencing
Somatic Analysis
Cancer Hotspot Panel
This targeted panel investigates hotspot regions of 50 genes with known associations to cancer or associated with increased sensitivity or resistance to targeted therapies.
TAT: 20-30 days | Sample: Tissue section laid on standard glass slides can be sent for tumour genotyping (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5 µm sections) of FFPE tissue with min 20% tumour cells) or peripheral blood (as for liquid biopsy) drawn into special tubes (Streck(R) or cfPAXgene(R)). Minimum of 9 ml anticoagulated whole blood or plasma are required | Technology: NGS sequencing
Cancer comprehensive Panel 1
Targeted panel investigating the exonic regions of 409 genes with known associations to cancer including lung, colon, breast, ovarian, melanoma prostate, and haematologic malignancies.
TAT: 2-3 weeks | Sample: Tissue section laid on standard glass slides can be sent for tumour genotyping (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5 µm sections) of FFPE tissue with min 20% tumour cells)
Cancer comprehensive Panel 2
Targeted DNA and RNA panel investigating variants across 161 genes associated with a range of cancer types. It spans hotspot regions, full-length genes, copy number genes, and inter- and intragenic gene fusions.
This test is recommended for: Adults with a personal or family history suggestive of a hereditary cancer syndrome. Referral reasons for hereditary cancer susceptibility could include onset of cancer prior to the age of 50 years, more than one primary cancer in a single person, and multiple affected people within a family. After consideration of a patient’s clinical and family history, this testing may be appropriate for some paediatric patients.
TAT: 2-3 weeks | Sample: Tissue section laid on standard glass slides can be sent for tumour genotyping (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5 µm sections) of FFPE tissue with min 20% tumour cells)
Cancer Focus Panel
Targeted DNA and RNA panel investigating 52 genes with known relevance to solid tumours. Detects somatic mutations (Copy Number Variants), Gene Fusions, Insertions-Deletions (indels), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), Somatic Variants down to 5% frequency.
TAT: 20-30 days | Sample: Tissue section laid on standard glass slides can be sent for tumour genotyping (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5 µm sections) of FFPE tissue with min 20% tumour cells) or peripheral blood (as for liquid biopsy) drawn into special tubes (Streck(R) or cfPAXgene(R)). Minimum of 9 ml anticoagulated whole blood or plasma are required | Technology: NGS sequencing
GIST GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOUR
This test analyzes a number of genes associated with gastrointestinal cancers.
TAT: 30 days | Sample: Tissue 1 cm2 in Saline solution + ampicillin [1g/l], room temp. (viable 4 days); Tissue block processed with buffered formalin, room temp. DNA extracted from tissue, 20 µL [25 ng/µL], Eppendorf Safe-lock, room temp.
Lung cancer (actionable gene mutations)
This test analyzes a number of genes associated with lung cancers.
TAT: 7-10 days | Sample: Tissue 0.5 cm3 in Saline solution + ampicillin [1 g/l], room temp. (viable 4 days); Tissue block processed with buffered formalin, room temp. or Tissue section laid on standard glass slides (200 sqmm (about 10-15 x 5 µm sections ) of FFPE tissue sections with min 20% tumour cells). DNA extracted from tissue, 20 µL [25 ng/µL], Eppendorf Safe-lock, room temperature.