Intermountain Precision Genomics — a tumor gene sequencing service from Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare — implemented a new cancer test that requires less DNA.
The ICG100 ONCO Focus Panel performs next-generation sequencing on five genes, requiring at least 20 nanograms of DNA, or 5,000 to 8,000 cells. The existing test — the ICG100 Comprehensive Cancer Panel — assesses 162 genes, requiring 150 nanograms of DNA.
Although the new cancer test doesn't detect as many rare mutations as the ICG100 Comprehensive Cancer Panel, it provides insight for stage IV cancer patients who may only have a small tissue sample available.
"This abbreviated panel allows us to look for specific mutations frequently found in melanoma, lung and colon cancers," said David Loughmiller, core laboratory manager at Intermountain Precision Genomics. "The ICG100 ONCO Focus allows scientists to concentrate on these very specific mutations that we know are actionable."