March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal Cancer
Labcorp Oncology offers a comprehensive test menu to support you and your colorectal cancer patients along their continuum of care, from early screening and diagnostics through treatment and follow-up.
Colorectal cancer
Educational Content
Molecular Tumor Board: 52-year-old male with colon cancer and POLE P286R alteration
This MTB reviews a case of metastatic MSS colon cancer with a POLE mutation and high tumor mutational burden, detected on a CGIP platform. Our team discusses the incidence and therapeutic significance of POLE/POLD1 proofreading deficiency mutations in patients with colon cancer.
How to increase screening compliance rates
Watch subject matter experts Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, and Erin Peterson from the Colon Cancer Coalition address how to capture patient compliance for colorectal cancer screenings, gain early detection and improve patient outcomes.
Improving health outcomes and lowering costs with colon cancer testing programs
Labcorp created an employee-focused colon cancer screening campaign in 2024. The goal was to encourage our employees to stay on top of age-appropriate preventive screenings and reinforce the important role they play in the early detection and treatment of cancer.
Education for Patients
Genetic Risk Assessment
Germline Testing
VistaSeq® Hereditary Cancer Panels
Provides an assessment of genetic mutations known to be associated with hereditary cancer syndromes.
Germline Testing
Lynch Syndrome Germline Testing
Full gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome accounts for about 3% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases.1-3
Screening
Screening
Fecal Occult Blood Immunoassay
Qualitative detection of fecal occult blood. This test is intended only for the detection of human hemoglobin in fecal specimens and is designed for preliminary colorectal cancer screening. A positive result should be followed up with additional diagnostic procedures.4
Diagnostic
Diagnostic
Complex Tumor Analysis by IHC
Our extensive antibody library and team of experienced pathologists can provide a differential diagnostic analysis in even the most difficult cases.
Diagnostic
Comprehensive Lynch Syndrome Tumor Testing
Tumor testing can reveal whether the colorectal cancer is caused by the genes related to Lynch syndrome. Tumor tests include immunohistochemistry and/or molecular analysis. Positive/absent results indicate a malfunction in the genes connected to Lynch syndrome.
Biomarkers for Therapeutic Selection
Biomarkers and tests for clinical management and treatment decision-making
| Test | Detects | Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| BRAF gene mutation analysis | Mutations in the BRAF gene | Cetuximab5, panitumumab5, encorafenib + cetuximab6 |
| DPYD Genotyping | Variations in the DPYD gene | 5-FU-based chemotherapy7 |
| HER2 IHC reflex to FISH if equivocal | HER2 protein expression or gene amplification | Tucatinib8 |
| KRAS gene mutation analysis, IVD | Mutations in the KRAS gene (exons 2, 3, and 4) | Cetuximab9, panitumumab10 |
| Labcorp® Plasma Focus™ | 33 actionable or clinically relevant genes for somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions (indels) | Targeted therapies |
| Microsatellite Instability (MSI) by PCR or Mismatch Repair (MMR) Proteins by IHC | Microsatellite instability | pembrolizumab11 |
| NRAS gene mutation analysis, extended | Mutations in the NRAS gene (exons 2, 3, and 4) | Cetuximab12, panitumumab13 |
| OmniSeq® INSIGHT, solid tumor NGS panel (DNA and RNA) | Includes DNA and RNA sequencing (523 genes), MSI, TMB*, fusion analysis including NTRK and RET, PD-L1 IHC and immune gene profiling | Targeted therapies and immunotherapies |
| UGT1A1 Irinotecan Toxicity | Polymorphism UGT1A1*28 | Irinotecan14,15 |
*TMB - tumor mutational burden
Monitoring
Monitoring
Cancer Antigen 19-9
For the quantitative determination of CA 19-9 tumor-associated antigen in serum or plasma of patients with colorectal cancer to monitor disease progress.16
Monitoring
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
For the in vitro quantitative determination of carcinoembryonic antigen in human serum and plasma. The CEA assay is indicated for serial measurement of CEA to aid in the management of cancer patients.16
References
Kohlmann W, Gruber SB, Lynch syndrome. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al, eds. GeneReviews®. 2004 Feb 5; Seattle, Wash: University of Washington; 1993-2014. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1211/. Accessed July 26, 2014.
Giardiello, FM et al., Guidelines on genetic evaluation and management of Lynch syndrome: A consensus statement by the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2014; 80:197-219.
Kohlmann, W et al., Lynch syndrome. GeneReviews 2014: Available online. Accessed January 14, 2015.
Warren JD, et al. Septin 9 methylated DNA is a sensitive and specific blood test for colorectal cancer. BMC Med 2011; Dec 14; 9:133.
Stintzing, S et al., Analysis of KRAS/NRAS and BRAF mutations in FIRE-3: A randomized phase III study of FOLFIRI plus cetuximab or bevacizumab as first-line treatment for wild-type (WT) KRAS (exon2) metastatic colorectal cancer m(CRC) patients [abstract]. ESMO European Cancer Congress 2013: E17-7073.
Di Nicolantonio, F et al., Wild-Type BRAF Is Required for Response to Panitumumab or Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:5705-12.
Lee, A et al., Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Impact of Pharmacogenetics on 5-Fluorouracil Therapy. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2004; 2:527-32.
TUKYSA® (tucatinib) [package insert]. Bothell, WA: Seagen Inc., 2023
Fraser CG, et al., Immunochemical testing of individuals positive for guaiac faecal occult blood test in a screening programme for colorectal cancer: An observational study. Lancet Oncol. 2006 Feb; 7(2):127-131.
Lievre, A et al., KRAS mutations as an independent prognostic factor in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:374-9.
KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) [package insert]. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck &Co., Inc.; 2021.
Amado, R et al., Wild-Type KRAS is required for panitumumab efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:1-9.
Douillard, JY et al., Panitumumab-FOLFOX4 Treatment and RAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1023-34.
Innocenti, F et al., Genetic variants in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 gene predict the risk of severe neutropenia of irinotecan. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22:1382-8.6. Di Nicolantonio, F et al., Wild-Type BRAF Is Required for Response to Panitumumab or Cetuximab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:5705-12.
Marcuello, E et al., UGT1A1 gene variations and irinotecan treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 2004; 91:678-82.
Stiksma, J et al., CA 19-9 as a marker in addition to CEA to monitor colorectal cancer. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2014; 13:239-44.