Lab21 (United Kingdom)

The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments has made it important to test cancer patients for clinically significant gene mutations that influence the benefit of treatment. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides a promising method for diagnostic purposes by enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple mutations in various genes in a single test. The aim of our study was to screen EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF mutations by targeted NGS and commonly used real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to evaluate the feasibility of targeted NGS for the detection of the mutations. Furthermore, we aimed to identify potential novel mutations by targeted NGS. We analyzed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue specimens from 81 non-small cell lung carcinoma patients. We observed a significant concordance (from 96.3 to 100%) of the EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF mutation detection results between targeted NGS and real-time PCR. Moreover, targeted NGS revealed seven nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variations and one insertion-deletion variation in EGFR not detectable by the real-time PCR methods. The potential clinical significance of these variants requires elucidation in future studies. Our results support the use of targeted NGS in the screening of EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF mutations in FFPE tissue material.

Pharmacogenetics is essential in the discovery of individual differences in metabolism and response to drugs, as well as in increasing the understanding of disease mechanisms. In addition, the use of biomarker assays is now critical in personalized medicine as specific variations in therapeutic targets can determine whether a drug is effective, particularly in oncology. Lab21 Ltd provides comprehensive and flexible biomarker assay development and commercialization services with an integrated structure that includes a full global development and commercialization capability together with accredited clinical service laboratories in both Europe and the USA. Lab21 adopts a platform and technology agnostic approach to molecular and immunodiagnostic development, and has an established and successful history of partnering with major pharmaceutical companies. Lab21 is becoming a significant global provider of diagnostic products and services, and is an ideal strategic partner for pharmaceutical and larger diagnostic companies to successfully deliver their biomarker assays to the patient.

Three factors causing the rate of nuclear beta decay to depend on the chemical environment of the nucleus are discussed. The operation of these factors is demonstrated in the low-energy decay of 63Ni by calculations on three common oxidation states of nickel. Each of the three factors causes changes in the total decay rate of the order of one part in 103 between these environments.