• Test Code:
    4023
  • Department:
    Solid Tumors
  • Test Synonyms:
    ALK Resistance Mutations
  • CPT Code(s):
    81479
Background:

ALK gene fusions are important oncogenic drivers in a number of cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and renal medullary carcinoma.  The use of ALK kinase inhibitors to treat these cancers is associated with the development of resistance due to selection of new mutations in the kinase domain that interfere with drug activity.

Sequencing the ALK kinase domain can be used to identify mutations associated with drug resistance. In addition, this sequencing can identify primary activating mutations of ALK that occur in some cases of neuroblastoma.

Recommended Use: 
This test is used to identify primary ALK gene mutations in neuroblastoma and secondary drug resistance mutations in ALK gene fusions that occur after treatment with an ALK inhibitor.

Methodology:

ALK sequencing is performed on DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue by bidirectional Sanger sequencing of the kinase domain.

Specimen Requirements:

  • A paraffin block or
  • 10 unstained sections of tumor (4-5 microns)(15 sections for small biopsies)

Contact Client Services for shipping materials and procedures at (855)535-1522

A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES.  Please include detailed clinical information.

Test Performed (Days):

Twice per week

Turn Around Time:

10 - 14 days

Shipment Sensitivity Requirements:

  • Keep specimen cool during transit. Do not ship on dry ice.
  • Please use the cold pack provided in the KDL shipping kit.
  • Ship the specimen overnight express, using the FedEx priority overnight shipping label provided.
  • Contact Client Services for shipping materials and procedures at (855)535-1522

References:

  1. Huang D, Kim DW, Kotsakis A, Deng S, Lira P, Ho SN, Lee NV, Vizcarra P, Cao JQ, Christensen JG, Kim TM, Sun JM, Ahn JS, Ahn MJ, Park K, Mao M. Multiplexed deep sequencing analysis of ALK kinase domain identifies resistance mutations in relapsed patients following crizotinib treatment. Genomics. 2013 Feb 20. doi:pii: S0888-7543(13)00034-7.
  2. Ceccon M, Mologni L, Bisson W, Scapozza L, Gambacorti-Passerini C. Crizotinib-resistant NPM-ALK mutants confer differential sensitivity to unrelated Alk inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res. 2013 Feb;11(2):122-32.

Additional Info:

Contact Us
Innovations in Testing
View All Tests

The Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University is a pioneer in the field of precision cancer medicine. The institute's director, Brian Druker, M.D., helped prove it was possible to shut down just the cells that enable cancer to grow. This breakthrough has made once-fatal forms of the disease manageable and transformed how cancer is treated. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center between Sacramento and Seattle – an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. It is headquarters for one of the National Cancer Institute's largest research collaboratives, SWOG, in addition to offering the latest treatments and technologies as well as hundreds of research studies and clinical trials.

Learn More