Tumor Mutational Burden

Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) is a biomarker that measures the number of somatic mutations in cancer. In other words, it refers to the number of somatic mutations that exist per megabase (mut/MB). With this measurement, the cancer is classified as

• Cancer with low mutant load
• Cancer with medium mutant load
• Cancer with high mutant load

Long-term studies suggest that treatment decisions should take the TMB into consideration in order to maximize the effectiveness of treatment in each patient.

TMB’s high-quality determination is the basis for treatment decisions regarding the choice of immunotherapy (Checkpoint Inhibitors) and should be considered as part of the diagnostic routine in the treatment of various tumors.

The clinical significance of this indicator is based on the fact that if it shows that cancer carries a high number of mutations, it means that there is a higher number of abnormal proteins in cancer, making it easier for cancer to be perceived as “foreign” tissue by the defense organism of our body and more easily distinguished from healthy tissue.

Human cells, including cancer cells, carry much of their protein content on their surface. Immune system cells regularly monitor these “surface-to-surface” proteins. The higher the TMB of the cancer, the more likely it is that the immune system will recognize the cancer as “foreign” and attack it. But some cancers are “protected” by blocking them from being detected by immune system cells.

In conclusion, cancer with a high mutated load is a serious indication in order to choose immunotherapy (Checkpoint inhibitors) that can lead to drastic improvement, eliminating the cancer’s ability to “avoid” the immune system’s cells.

At our vertically integrated Laboratory, we handle your sample in such a way as to minimize its unnecessary waste:

• The paraffin block is positioned once on the microtome to obtain tissue sections by experienced histotechnologists.
• Tissue sections are sequentially acquired in such a way as to provide immunohistochemistry diagnosis if required.
• Ensure maintenance of tissue sections for further molecular testing.
• Pathologists perform microdissection, in order to ensure the highest possible amount of cancer cells, removing all other necrotic cells or normal tissue that could affect the validity of the results.
• Immediately, the molecular biologist treats the tissue in a completely controlled environment with next-generation sequencing (NGS).

The clinical significance of this biomarker is that if it shows that cancer carries a high number of mutations, it means that there are a higher number of abnormal proteins in cancer, making it easier for cancer to be perceived as “foreign” tissue by its defense organism and more easily distinguished from healthy tissue.

Cancer with a high mutated load is a serious indication of immunotherapy (Checkpoint Inhibitors) that can lead to drastic improvement, eliminating the ability of cancer to “avoid” the cells of the immune system.

We will take care of the ease and quick receipt of your sample. Please contact us at 2310 23 22 72 so that we can serve you immediately.

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