1. Unstained slides
Fine-needle aspirates, core biopsies
and
small/low-cellularity samples
a
minimum of 10 unstained FFPE slides
(5 micron sections)
Larger resections
a
minimum of 6 unstained FFPE slides
(5 micron sections)
2. An H&E slide clearly targeted by a histopathologist
Please include the tumour content assessed as this is an essential requirement for testing. Samples without a clearly marked target AND tumour % will not be processed.
The target for microdissection should contain at least 30% of viable tumour cells in a background of no more than 70% normal tissue content, including inflammatory cells - avoid including necrotic material in the targeted area. Slides are to be kept at room temperature at all times.
3. Each slide must be clearly labelled with at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and block number, or NHI and block number).
4.
Request forms must include the sample block number, any relevant clinical details and tumour diagnosis.
Specimens arriving with incomplete labelling/documentation or incorrect sample requirements will be rejected.
The validated minimum reportable VAF for this assay is 5%
.
This threshold has been established during assay validation to ensure sensitivity and specificity, and reflects the assay's limit of reliable quantification.
Measurement of Uncertainty:
The MU at ~5% VAF is 4.68% +/- 0.30% (95% confidence)
5 working days
Identification of molecular variants in both primary and metastatic solid tumours provides information for confirmation of a diagnosis, assessing prognosis and for guiding therapeutic decisions. This stratified or personalised medicine approach is important in the treatment and management of patients with solid tumours.
The Oncomine
TM
Precision Assay (OPA) utilises the automated Ion Torrent Genexus System to profile genomic variants associated with solid tumours. This NGS panel covers 50 key genes, with analysis restricted to the genes of relevance for individual tumour types.
Please note that analysis of fusions and copy number variants (CNV's) are not currently being performed.
The initial release of this panel has been designed with a focus on the tumour types and genes specified below (Please see Table 1). Where testing is required for other tumour types, please contact the laboratory to discuss suitability.
The full list of targeted coordinates is available on request.
For manufacturers details of the assay, please see the following link.
|
| Table 1: Panel Coverage, Tumour Types and Genes |
To contact the Molecular Oncology Team:
| Auckland City Hospital | (09) 307 4949 |
| Lablink | ext. 22000 |
| DGEN general enquires | ext. 22008 |
| Molecular Oncology enquires | molecularoncology@adhb.govt.nz |
Slides must be securely packaged to prevent breakage or loss during transport.
Specimens can be transported at room temperature in the range of 8 Degrees Celsius to 24 Degrees Celsius.