ALK FISH Test
Complete Test Menu
Hereditary risk assessments
Precision cancer tests
Prenatal and women’s health tests

What is ALK?

Approximately 80% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) 1. The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene frequently involves in gene fusions that lead to lung cancer.

How does ALK cause cancer?

When ALK gene fuses with other genes, fusion genes will form. ALK fusion genes lead to expression of defective ALK proteins, which have been identified to play an essential role in the growth of some lung cancers (eg. NSCLC). 

Why is detecting ALK important?

Inhibition of ALK may be an effective treatment approach for patients with ALK-positive tumors2, 3. Detecting ALK fusions or variants with ALK FISH test helps treating physician select more effective therapies for patients with NSCLC.

Who should consider this test?

Patients who are suffering from NSCLC and/or patients who have received targeted therapy and failed to show signs of recovery are advised to perform this test.

Test Specifications

Test Code
Methodology
Specimen Requirements
Turnaround Time
OAF
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
8 FFPE unstained sections (6μm) with at least 20% tumor content
10 days

What should I do if my test results are positive?

Please consult your physicians for professional advices.

How to get started

Our tests must be ordered by a doctor. Ask your doctor if a Mygenia test is right for you. We can help you find a doctor if you don’t have one.

I have a doctor
References
  1. Jemal, Ahmedin, et al. "Global cancer statistics." CA: a cancer journal for clinicians 61.2 (2011): 69-90.
  2. Shaw, Alice T., et al. "Clinical features and outcome of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer who harbor EML4-ALK." Journal of Clinical Oncology 27.26 (2009): 4247-4253.
  3. Horn, Leora, and William Pao. "EML4-ALK: Honing in on a new target in non–small-cell lung cancer." Journal of Clinical Oncology 27.26 (2009): 4232-4235.