BIOLOGIX EGFR 29 MUTATION COMPANION DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase protein responsible for cell growth and division signaling. Mutations that result in the over-expression of the EGFR protein results in uncontrolled cell division and is a risk factor (responsible) for many cancers; 40% of Lung cancers, 50% of gliaoblastomas, over 80% of cancers of the head and neck and also in anal cancers.

Lung and other cancers characterised with somatic mutations in the EGFR gene are often not responsive to broad spectrum therapy and hence the need for molecular diagnostics accompanied with targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Companion diagnostics molecular diagnostics helps to identify the specific mutations underlying different cancers, helping to create a personalised disease genetic profile for different patients. The result from these genetic tests help to enable the prescriptions of targeted regiments that helps to better treat different cancers based on the genetic footprint and also reduces the risk of ineffective therapy and cancers relapsing.

The EGFR 29 Mutation test checks for all the mutations that have been recommended by the FDA to identify Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients that can benefit from certain targeted therapies. The mutations covered in the test include:

EGFR Exon 19 Deletions

EGFR: Exon 20 insertion

EGFR:p.L858R (Substitution mutation)

EGFR: P. T790M (Substitution mutation)

EGFR: P. G719X (Substitution mutation)

EGFR: P. S768I (Substitution mutation)

EGFR: P. L861Q (Substitution mutation)

The test also comes with extra information on which FDA approved medication cancer patients can benefit from based on the mutations present in the EGFR gene. The test comes with a short turn around time of 10 working days and has also been subsidized.