ALK/EML4 Tri-Color 0.1 mL

Lung Cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men worldwide¹. Approximately 80% of lung cancers are classified as NonSmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)². NSCLC is characterized by recurrent gene fusion events involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) 2p23 and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 (EML4) 2p21 genes³. The prevalence of ALK-EML4 rearrangement identified in NSCLC cases can range from 1.6 -11.7%⁴. The ALK gene resides on chromosome 2p23 and encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor. Chromosomal abnormalities involving the ALK gene have been associated with multiple cancer indications⁵. ALK gene rearrangements, involving the EML4 gene result in the formation of the ALK-EML4 gene fusion protein that possesses potent oncogenic activity⁵. The EML4 gene is part of a family of echinoderm microtubule associated protein like proteins and maps to the same chromosome as the ALK gene. ALK-EML4 gene rearrangement is one of the most common pathogenic features of lung cancer and is commonly identified in younger patients⁵. Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) is one of the primary tools to detect ALK-EML4 gene rearrangements.