ALK fusion
Methodology
Molecular
Test Description and clinical significance
Genes
ALK
Disease:
Anaplastic large cell lymphomas, Neuroblastoma, and Non-small cell lung cancer
Next generation sequencing of gene panel. This gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, which belongs to the insulin receptor superfamily. This protein comprises an extracellular domain, an hydrophobic stretch corresponding to a single pass transmembrane region, and an intracellular kinase domain. It plays an important role in the development of the brain and exerts its effects on specific neurons in the nervous system. This gene has been found to be rearranged, mutated, or amplified in a series of tumours including anaplastic large cell lymphomas, neuroblastoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. The chromosomal rearrangements are the most common genetic alterations in this gene, which result in creation of multiple fusion genes in tumourigenesis, including ALK (chromosome 2)/EML4 (chromosome 2), ALK/RANBP2 (chromosome 2), ALK/ATIC (chromosome 2), ALK/TFG (chromosome 3), ALK/NPM1 (chromosome 5), ALK/SQSTM1 (chromosome 5), ALK/KIF5B (chromosome 10), ALK/CLTC (chromosome 17), ALK/TPM4 (chromosome 19), and ALK/MSN (chromosome X)
Specimen Requirements
Collection:
3 mL of EDTA, citrate (ACD) or Heparinized bone marrow and peripheral blood specimens for RNA gene fusion detection
Stability:
96hours/4 to 7 days refrigerated
Unacceptable Conditions:
Specimen submitted is in the incorrect fixative or anticoagulant. Specimen received after the stability date. Gross hemolysis. Frozen specimen. Insufficient specimen. Unlabeled. Left un-refrigerated for an extended period.
Storage & Transport
received within 96 hours of drawing. Samples that are 4 to 7 days old should be refrigerated.
CPT(s)
81401
New York Approved
NO
TAT
10 Days
*The CPT codes provided are for informational purposes only and are based on AMA guidelines The billing party is solely responsible for correct CPT coding.
