Breast Cancer Biomarker Analysis

About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. We now know the difference genetic biomarkers make when it comes to differentiating breast cancer. Identifying a genetic mutation can help give more in-depth information to help patients and clinicians make relevant treatment decisions.

At GoPath Laboratories, we have created a series of panels to determine what genetic mutations have played a role in a woman’s development of breast cancer. Not only can we detect the mutations that affect treatment selection such as HER2/neu, ER/PR, Ki-67 and others, but we also have developed diagnostics to determine if there is a hereditary connection to breast cancer through our BRCAnow® series.

Analyzing a tumor’s genetic makeup can help establish a prognosis and identify what therapies are likely to be effective. To do this, we use the latest technology available including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), molecular testing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Genes analyzed included HER2/neu, ER/PR, Ki-67, PTEN and PIK3CA. For example, about 1 in 5 women have HER2-positive cancers that are often more responsive to hormone therapies such as trastuzumab and lapatinib, whereas HER2-negative cancers do not respond as well.

We also offer testing for genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). About 1 in 500 women in the U.S. has either a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Having a BRCA1 mutation increases a person’s risk for developing breast cancer by as much as 50-80%. GoPath uses state-of-the-art, proprietary next-generation sequencing technology to detect BRCA1/2 and other mutations associated with HBOC. We offer a basic panel, an HBOC panel, and a comprehensive risk panel that tests for 30 of the most common genes associated with BRCA-related cancers. As new, relevant mutations are discovered, more genes will be added to our panels. In fact, since BRCA mutations can be inherited from a mother or father, men are now being encouraged to seek BRCA testing when hereditary cancer exists in their bloodline. Men can also be at risk for HBOC cancers including prostate, pancreatic and male breast cancer.