World Cancer Day February 4th.
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest international cancer organisation dedicated to taking the lead in convening, capacity building and advocacy initiatives that unite the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden and integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda
On average, there are 42,000 cases of cancer reported each year in Ireland, of which skin, breast, lung, and colon cancer are the most prevalent. Early diagnosis is widely considered the single most important factor that contributes to a successful cancer outcome. While diagnostic methods for cancer have significantly advanced over the years, there are still some shortcomings and challenges. These include:
- False Positives and False Negatives
- Early Detection Challenges
- The use of invasive procedures for Diagnosis
To overcome these challenges, healthcare professionals are turning to molecular approaches when diagnosing cancer. The most commonly used techniques would be real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS). These two molecular techniques allow for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNVs), insertion/deletion mutations (InDels) and fusion mutations, commonly found in a wide array of different cancers. Identification of these mutations allows healthcare professionals with:
- Early diagnoses
- Adopting a precision/personalized medical approach to cancer treatment
- Accurate prognoses
Precision/personalised medicine is an approach to healthcare that tailors medical treatments and interventions to the specific characteristics of each patient. It takes into account an individual’s/cancer genetic makeup and other relevant factors to optimise diagnosis, and treatment strategies. With improvements in cancer diagnosis and cancer treatments including Chemotherapeutics and Immunotherapeutic comes an unprecedented opportunity to tailor individual cancer treatments.
MSC has partnered with Diatech Pharmacogenetics, a leader in the development, production, and commercialisation of pharmacogenetics tests for cancer precision medicine. Diatech has developed a range of diagnostic and prognostic tests for the identification of both diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, which include their Easy pgx and myriapod platforms. The available markers include:
| KRAS | DPYD | ALK | EGFR | 1DH1/HPV |
| BRAF | UGT11 MSI | ROS | HRAS | MGMT |
| NRAS | NTRK | RET | PPAR | aNMP1 |
| PIK3CA | MET |
Diatech pharmacogenetics Easy PGX qPCR instrument is a real-time PCR instrument with an integrated touch screen and up to 6 integrated fluorescence channels. The ready to use Easy PGX Line reagents are delivered lyophilized in 8-well strips, preloaded with a complete master mix that can be stored at room temperature. Additionally, it is possible to run combinations of different targets in the same experiment, making the diagnostic process extremely flexible for each patient.
Why choose Diatech pharmacogenetics?
The EasyPGX Real-Time PCR System
- RT-PCR instrument with 96 wells peltier block
- Up to 6 LED optical channels • Integrated touchscreen
- Automatic data analysis and interpretation software with the possibility to check raw data in one single software
- System complete of all accessory instrumentation needed for EasyPGX ready workflow
- CE-IVD
- LIMS connectivity
For more on the Easy PGX qPCR system, watch our video below:
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