There are many different types of mutations that can lead to cancer. Some mutations cause the cells to produce too much or too little of a protein, or a protein that does not work properly. Other mutations cause the cells to lose or gain a whole chromosome, which is a long strand of DNA that contains many genes. Some mutations affect genes that normally prevent cancer, such as tumor suppressor genes or DNA repair genes. These genes act like brakes or guardians that keep the cells from growing too fast or accumulating more mutations. When these genes are mutated, the cells lose their ability to control their growth and repair their DNA. Other mutations affect genes that promote cancer, such as oncogenes or growth factor genes. These genes act like accelerators or signals that tell the cells to grow and divide. When these genes are mutated, the cells become overactive and produce too much of the growth-promoting proteins. 

Not all mutations cause cancer. Some mutations have no effect on the cell's function, while others may even be beneficial for the cell's survival in certain conditions. However, when a cell accumulates enough mutations that affect key regulatory genes, it becomes a cancer cell. A cancer cell can divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues, forming a tumor or spreading throughout the body. Cancer cells can also evade the immune system, which normally recognizes and destroys abnormal cells. Cancer cells can also develop resistance to treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, by acquiring new mutations that help them survive. 

Our Hereditary predisposition panels consist of carefully selected gene sets to analyze the most common alterations responsible for high cancer risk. 

Personalized cancer therapy is enabled by advances in molecular diagnostics, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), which can analyze the genomic profile of tumors in a fast and inexpensive way. However, there are also several challenges and limitations to this approach, such as the clinical relevance of the alterations, the heterogeneity and evolution of tumors, and the practical implementation of molecular tumor panels. 

 Our solid tumor-based gene panels aim to target those genes that have clinical relevance, while our highly specialised bioinformatic tools and pipelines are responsible for supporting the oncology decisions by providing valuable information on targetable mutations and therapies.

Liquid biopsies and traditional biopsies have different advantages and limitations, and they are not interchangeable. Liquid biopsies are less invasive and can capture the heterogeneity and evolution of tumors, but they may have lower sensitivity and specificity than traditional biopsies. Traditional biopsies can provide more accurate and comprehensive information about a specific tumor, but they may be more risky and painful for the patient, and they may not reflect the changes in the tumor over time.

Therefore, the two methods can complement each other and provide a more complete picture of the cancer. Liquid biopsies are best used for screening & identifying mutations in metastatic cancer and tracking changes in the mutations for treatment. Traditional biopsies are still needed for the initial histological diagnosis of a tumor and to confirm the results of liquid biopsies.

Our liquid biopsy solutions provide the most advanced tools for monitoring purposes and detection of new mutations that can affect treatment. 

Gut microbiome analysis can be performed using different methods, such as culture-based, microscopy-based, or molecular techniques. However, the most widely used and advanced method is next-generation sequencing (NGS), which can generate large amounts of data on the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles of the gut microbiota. NGS can also identify potentially important functional members of the gut microbiota, such as those that produce beneficial or harmful metabolites, modulate the immune system, or interact with pathogens. 

Gut microbiome analysis can provide valuable insights into the role of the gut microbiota in human health and diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, allergies, and neurological disorders. By understanding the factors that influence the gut microbiota – such as diet, lifestyle, genetics, environment, and medication – gut microbiome analysis can also help us design personalized interventions to modulate the gut microbiota and improve health outcomes. For example, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary modificationa are some of the strategies that can alter the gut microbiota and restore its balance and function.

Our gut microbiome analysis provides a state-of-the-art toolset to understand and alter your overall health.