Comprehensive Portfolio

In addition to our Essential Portfolio, a Comprehensive Portfolio of tests offering the most up-to-date classification, prognostic and treatment-option information is available to the clinician.

topoisomerase IIa (TOP2A)

Topoisomerase IIa is a key enzyme in DNA replication and also a target for various chemotherapeutic agents, in particular the anthracycline drugs. The TOP2A gene is located in close proximity to the HER2 gene on chromosome 17q21, and a significant percentage of patients with HER2 amplification demonstrate abnormalities in the TOP2A gene. Anthracyclines, one of the most widely used class of cytotoxic agents for treatment of breast cancer, inhibit TOP2A by trapping the DNA strand break intermediates, leading to persistent DNA cleavage. TOP2A gene amplification and subsequent protein over-expression is associated with improved response anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

BRCA1 mutation carrier status prediction

The international breast cancer linkage consortium group have demonstrated recently that protein expression phenotype of breast cancer can be used to predict chance of BRCA1 mutation carrier status in patients with breast cancer. On the basis of ER/PR, HER2 and cytokeratin phenotyping by IHC, a BRCA1 mutation carrier status risk assessment can be provided for the patient. Identification of high risk is an indication for formal BRCA 1 mutation testing.

protein expression class typing

Recent molecular studies of breast cancer have demonstrated distinct classes of breast cancer, based on gene expression profiles. These findings have been extrapolated to protein-based techniques, identifying various classes of breast cancer, including luminal type-A and -B, HER2 and basal groups, based upon immunohistochemical evaluation. These results provide the clinician and histopathologist with the information for determining the molecular class and characteristics of the patient’s tumour.

lymphovascular invasion identification

Lymphovascular invasion is a negative prognostic feature, associated with early recurrence, reduced disease-free survival and a poor outcome in breast cancer. Identification of tumour cells within lymphatic channels is often difficult as part of routine histopathological evaluation. However, the recent development of immunohistochemical tests for revealing the lymphatic channels of tumours has significantly enhanced the ability to identify this phenomenon, and added to the predictive power of this prognostic indicator.

ordering

For information on how to order our new Portfolios please contact our Business Development Manager.