SomArray Ovarian Plus

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer (diagnosis based on histology), you are likely to be eligible for molecular profiling of the cancer. This molecular test aims to detect whether the tumor has mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 genes, as well as 13 other genes closely associated with ovarian cancer.

According to reports from the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network), patients with invasive ovarian cancer (serous, non-mucinous carcinomas, high-grade malignancy) that carry mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes, show an improved prognosis and response to chemotherapy, compared to patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer without mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes. More specifically, these patients show:

• higher 5-year survival rates
• higher rates of survival without recurrence (Progression Free Survival)
• better response to chemotherapy, compared to ovarian cancer patients without mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes

Furthermore, overexpression of the folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) protein, also known as folate receptor alpha (FRα), serves as a predictive biomarker for targeted therapy in patients with platinum-resistant, epithelial ovarian cancer.

Microsatellite instability (MSI or MMR) testing assesses the likelihood that a woman carries mutations in genes associated with Lynch syndrome. Patients with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of developing inherited cancers such as breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, colon, endometrial, liver, kidney, and bile duct cancers.

Finally, HRD (i.e. genomic instability) testing may increase the number of eligible patients, in addition to those carrying mutations in the BRCA genes, who can receive targeted therapy.

Tumors with elevated HRD values ​​(positive HRD score) have been shown to be more sensitive to platinum regimens as well as to poly(ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors).

The tests are performed on the surgical specimen (paraffin cubes) or the biopsy material (paraffin cube) from which your histological examination was performed or on the aspiration material (FNAB, EBUS) from which your cytological examination was performed. In our fully integrated Laboratory, the pathologist selects the most appropriate & representative paraffin cube, ensuring that the most appropriate sample will be used for the tests. Qualitative and quantitative parameters are checked.

In case your sample is not already at Microdiagnostics archive, please contact us immediately so that we can arrange for its safe and rapid transport to our laboratory. You will also need to quickly and easily complete the Consent Form.

In our fully integrated Laboratory, we handle your sample in such a way as to minimize unnecessary waste and time:

• The paraffin cube is placed, if possible, once on the microtome for obtaining tissue sections, by experienced tissue technologists.
• Tissue sections are obtained sequentially in such a way as to ensure diagnosis and perform Immunohistochemistry if required.
• Ensuring preservation of tissue sections for further molecular testing.
• Pathologists perform microdissection to ensure the maximum amount of cancer cells possible, removing all other necrotic cells or normal tissue that could affect the validity of the results.
• The molecular biologist immediately processes the tissue in a fully controlled environment, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) to identify mutations in the genes of interest.

According to reports from the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network), patients with invasive ovarian cancer (serous, non-mucinous carcinomas, high-grade malignancy) that carry mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes, show an improved prognosis and response to chemotherapy, compared to patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer without mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes. More specifically, these patients show:

• higher 5-year survival rates
• higher rates of survival without recurrence (Progression Free Survival)
• better response to chemotherapy, compared to ovarian cancer patients without mutations in the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes

Furthermore, overexpression of the folate receptor 1 (FOLR1) protein, also known as folate receptor alpha (FRα), serves as a predictive biomarker for targeted therapy in patients with platinum-resistant, epithelial ovarian cancer.

Microsatellite instability (MSI or MMR) testing assesses the likelihood that a woman carries mutations in genes associated with Lynch syndrome. Patients with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of developing inherited cancers such as breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, colon, endometrial, liver, kidney, and bile duct cancers.

Finally, HRD (i.e. genomic instability) testing may increase the number of eligible patients, in addition to those carrying mutations in the BRCA genes, who can receive targeted therapy.

Tumors with elevated HRD values ​​(positive HRD score) have been shown to be more sensitive to platinum regimens as well as to poly(ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors).

The tests are performed on the surgical specimen (paraffin cubes) or the biopsy material (paraffin cube) from which your histological examination was performed or on the aspiration material (FNAB, EBUS) from which your cytological examination was performed. In our fully integrated Laboratory, the pathologist selects the most appropriate & representative paraffin cube, ensuring that the most appropriate sample will be used for the tests. Qualitative and quantitative parameters are checked.

In case your sample is not already at Microdiagnostics archive, please contact us immediately so that we can arrange for its safe and rapid transport to our laboratory. You will also need to quickly and easily complete the Consent Form.

Most of the time, the sample material we are called upon to handle is small because it has resulted from a minimally invasive method (needle biopsy, fluid aspiration, paraffin block with minimal material).

In our laboratory, Pathologists check in a timely manner whether the material to be examined is sufficient. If so, then a management algorithm is followed, with the aim of achieving the performance of multiple tests on the material (Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, NGS) in order to fully check the molecular profile of your tumor (proteins, genes, histological Grading).

In this case, and once sample enrichment manipulations have been exhausted, we contact your clinician to discuss alternative approaches in order to obtain the desired information to select the optimal treatment for you. Some examples:

• Performing an alternative test (e.g. Immunohistochemistry instead of PCR, or choosing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS))
• Performing Immunohistochemistry instead of FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) and tubulin
• Possible blood sampling instead of tissue testing (liquid biopsy)
• Possible option to take a new biopsy or puncture

Contact us at 2310 23 22 72 and we will immediately assist you in quickly transporting the sample to our laboratory.

By cash, bank card, bank deposit, or Online interbank deposit

One of the primary concerns at Microdiagnostics is the protection of your personal data as well as the strict observance of the conditions for the protection of your genetic material and medical results.

In full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we ensure that any test conducted is done with your knowledge and consent and we do not communicate results over the phone.