NHMike wrote:If the Oncotype order is for NextGen sequencing, then it should do the complete sequence of the tumor genome. In previous generation sequencing, you ordered one or a few tests at a time and they did those tests individually. NextGen gets the whole genome and then you look for known cancer mutations. So a second sequencing wouldn't make sense unless you thought that the first was in error. There may be differences in what is checked for in mutations or in the interpretation as the science is advancing all the time. But they should tell you what mutation(s) are present in the tumor sample and that can affect treatment. I wasn't able to look at the Oncotype DX description as their website is really slow or my internet connection has problems.
From the Oncotype website:
Oncotype DX® Colon Cancer Assay uses RT-PCR to determine the expression of a panel of 12 genes in tumor tissue. The Recurrence Score® result is calculated from the gene expression results, and ranges from 0-100.
These findings are applicable to stage II patients with adenocarcinoma or mucinous carcinoma limited to the colon. It is unknown whether the findings apply to other patients outside these criteria.
Clinical Experience is based on a prospectively-designed validation study with a pre-specified analysis of the Recurrence Score result, in the context of T-Stage and MMR status (MMR proficient (MMR-P) or MMR deficient (MMR-D)), using patients from the surgery-alone arm of the QUASAR study (N=711).