Accurate Method to Diagnose Cancer Subtypes Uncovered

Many cancer types, including leukaemias and sarcomas, are routinely screened for fusion genes using standard clinical diagnostic methods, such as fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), however these methods have limitations.

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"The standard FISH diagnostic for fusion genes has been used clinically for around 30 years but each test only provides one answer on one fusion gene, which is not the full story," says co-senior author Dr Jim Blackburn, who leads the DNA and RNA Methodologies Group at the Garvan Institute. He adds that current methods can miss uncommon fusion genes, and that the wrong test could initially be requested. For instance, a metastasised sarcoma found in the lung - without knowledge of the original tumour - may be incorrectly screened for fusion genes commonly associated with lung cancer.

"The approach we've taken in our study is to wipe away the information about where the cancer is found - we take a broad view and just look at genes that are known to be involved in fusions across all cancer subtypes," says Dr Erin Heyer, first author of the study.

To develop their new method, the Garvan researchers investigated whether sequencing the cancer cells' RNA - a 'transcript' of DNA that cells use to make proteins - could provide a more accurate snapshot of fusion genes than the FISH method. The team designed two extensive panels as tools to allow them to screen the RNA of all known fusion genes at once - one for blood cancers and one for solid tumours.

"We hope that our two diagnostic tests will not only save time and money, but will better detect fusion genes in cancers that don't fit the norm," says Dr Blackburn.

Targeted therapies for some fusion genes already exist. One example is larotrectinib, which reduces the activity of an overactive enzyme encoded by fusion of NTRK genes with other gene partners. But assigning such specific treatments requires identifying the right fusion gene, say the Garvan researchers.

The team is now seeking funding to clinically accredit their two tests, to progress the method from a lab technique to a clinical diagnostic. "Rather than just being a research project, this method has direct application for cancer patients," says Dr Blackburn. "We want to help make diagnosing patients more accurate and more efficient, so that they can receive the right treatments faster."

Source: Eurekalert