LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

PCR Better at Identifying Breast Tumor Subtypes than Immunohistochemistry

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Jun 2016
Image: The MammaTyper in vitro diagnostic test kit for breast cancer subtyping (Photo courtesy of BioNTech Diagnostics).
Image: The MammaTyper in vitro diagnostic test kit for breast cancer subtyping (Photo courtesy of BioNTech Diagnostics).
A recently published study suggested that a RT-qPCR (reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) assay was superior to classical immunohistochemistry for subtyping breast tumors.

The biological subtype of breast cancer influences the selection of systemic therapy. Distinction between luminal A and B cancers depends on consistent assessment of the marker protein Ki-67 (encoded by the MKI67 gene), but substantial intra-observer and inter-observer variability exists when immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used.

A study compared the BioNTech Diagnostics GmbH (Mainz, Germany) MammaTyper RT-qPCR-based diagnostic kit with IHC in the assessment of Ki-67 and other standard factors used in breast cancer subtyping.

MammaTyper is based on quantitative one step RT-qPCR technology, combining reverse transcription of mRNA and subsequent quantitative PCR of the resulting cDNA. Signal detection is performed in real time by fluorescently labeled hydrolysis probes. Expression results are normalized against two reference genes. Additionally a calibrator corrects for inter-run and inter-instrument variations. Besides quantitative and highly reproducible performance data the test kit delivers fast and reliable results by ready-to-use assay mixes.

Results of MKI67 mRNA expression measurements with MammaTyper showed that patients who expressed a low level of MKI67 had a significantly better prognosis with regard to disease-free survival and overall survival than patients with a high MKI67 expression. In contrast, measurement of Ki-67 protein expression by IHC showed no significant difference between these two groups for the prognosis of the two parameters.

The MammaTyper kit is CE / IVD marked for use in breast cancer subtyping. In addition to detection of MKI67, MammaTyper demonstrated precise quantitative detection of the biomarkers ERBB2 (HER2 - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), ESR1 (ER - Estrogen receptor alpha), and PGR (PR - Progesterone receptor).

"The positive study data for MammaTyper underline our commitment to making personalized medicine broadly available for treating cancer," said Dr. Sierk Poetting, managing director of BioNTech Diagnostics.

The study was published in the May 24, 2016, online edition of the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

Related Links:
BioNTech Diagnostics

Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
LIAISON PLEX Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
8-Channel Pipette
SAPPHIRE 20–300 µL

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The diagnostic device can tell how deadly brain tumors respond to treatment from a simple blood test (Photo courtesy of UQ)

Diagnostic Device Predicts Treatment Response for Brain Tumors Via Blood Test

Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, largely because doctors have no reliable way to determine whether treatments are working in real time. Assessing therapeutic response currently... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Circulating tumor cells isolated from blood samples could help guide immunotherapy decisions (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New evidence suggests that imbalances in the gut microbiome may contribute to the onset and progression of MCI and Alzheimer’s disease (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Vitestro has shared a detailed visual explanation of its Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (photo courtesy of Vitestro)

Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws

Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Roche’s cobas® Mass Spec solution enables fully automated mass spectrometry in routine clinical laboratories (Photo courtesy of Roche)

New Collaboration Brings Automated Mass Spectrometry to Routine Laboratory Testing

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that identifies and quantifies molecules based on their mass and electrical charge. Its high selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy make it indispensable... Read more