Currently, molecular genetic methods are actively used not only in research laboratories, but also in medical centres around the world, helping to correctly diagnose many types of hereditary and acquired diseases, including oncological diseases.
The Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University specialises in biopsy analysis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer and other oncological diseases.
Thanks to performance optimisations, the Laboratory is able to complete a molecular genetic analysis of the biopsy and surgical resection specimens within 48 to 72 hours from the moment of sample registration. This has a positive effect on the effectiveness and efficiency of the diagnostic process, taking into account further possible tests.
The Laboratory has standardised the identification of somatic mutations in the following proto-oncogenes:
- EGFR
- KRAS
- NRAS
- PCA3 expression
Testing biopsy material at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the Pirogov Clinic offers several key benefits:
- We are working with regions
- The Laboratory average turnaround time is 48 to 72 hours (from sample registration to result reporting)
- All stages of molecular genetic analysis (from DNA extraction to the mutational status analysis) are performed in one laboratory
- Electronic registration system for surgical resections and biopsy material
- Possibility of long-term storage of the isolated DNA at –80°C
Important!
- The procedure requires 5-10 sections of the paraffin-embedded tissue block (previously used for histopathological diagnosis), each with a thickness of 10 μm or less and a surface area of up to 250 mm2.
- The tissue sample must contain at least 50% viable tumour cells.
- The low quality of the previous fixation and dehydration may significantly affect the informative value of the test results.
- The tissue samples must be accompanied by medical documentation with morphological verification of the diagnosis.