New panel allows scientists to work with 20 nanograms of DNA instead of requiring 150 nanograms

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, USA, May 11, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Intermountain Precision Genomics announces the implementation of a new genomic test for cancer. An adjunct to the ICG100™ Comprehensive Cancer panel, which tests 162 genes, the ICG100™ ONCO Focus Panel requires less DNA. This next-generation sequencing (NGS) test performs genomic analysis on five genes: KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, EGFR and KIT. This test can provide valuable analysis and clinical utility for stage IV cancer patients when only a small tissue sample is available.

According to Intermountain Precision Genomics Core Laboratory Manager, David Loughmiller, “This abbreviated panel allows us to look for specific mutations frequently found in melanoma, lung and colon cancers. The ICG100™ ONCO Focus allows scientists to concentrate on these very specific mutations that we know are actionable.” Drug therapies can often target these mutations enabling physicians to prescribe personalized medicine for their patients.

In the past, when only a small amount of tissue from a solid tumor biopsy was available, NGS genomic testing was not an option because the quantity was not sufficient. The new panel allows scientists to work with 20 nanograms of DNA, or 5,000 to 8,000 cells, instead of requiring 150 nanograms.

“In the case of a lung biopsy where a very small needle is used to extract the tissue,” said Loughmiller, “many times we have a difficult time getting a sufficient number of cells to do genomic sequencing at all. In situations where there is limited amount of tissue from a biopsy, we are still able to provide information that we may not be able to otherwise obtain.”

While the five-gene ONCO Focus Panel cannot reveal the rare mutations that the ICG100™ Comprehensive Gene Panel detects, the requirement for less DNA allows for a two day turnaround time, rather than 12-14 days.

Intermountain Precision Genomics is a service of Intermountain Healthcare, which offers genomic sequencing of solid tumors. For more information about Intermountain Precision Genomics please visit: precisioncancer.org, join the dialog on Facebook (Intermountain Precision Genomics) or follow @precisioncancer on Twitter.

Daron Cowley
Intermountain Healthcare
801-442-2834
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