ALK Fusion – FISH

Description

ALK Fusion – FISH Test – Precision Testing for Targeted Cancer Therapy

The ALK Fusion – FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) Test from Lab Tests Dubai is a gold-standard molecular diagnostic assay used to detect rearrangements in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene within tumor tissue enabling oncologists to identify patients who can benefit from targeted ALK inhibitor therapies such as crizotinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib.

ALK gene fusions occur when the ALK gene abnormally joins with another gene (most commonly EML4), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer development. These fusions are found in:

• ✅ 3–7% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) — especially in younger, non-smoking patients
• ✅ Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL)
• ✅ Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT)
• ✅ Rare cases of colorectal, thyroid, and renal cancers

This test is essential for:

• Confirming ALK positivity in lung or other solid tumors
• Guiding use of FDA-approved ALK inhibitors instead of chemotherapy
• Avoiding ineffective treatments and unnecessary side effects
• Enabling access to clinical trials for advanced disease
• Supporting personalized, precision oncology care

Using fluorescent DNA probes, FISH technology allows pathologists to visualize gene break-apart events at the chromosomal level even in small or challenging biopsy samples.

With results in just 5–7 days, Lab Tests Dubai empowers oncologists to make timely, evidence-based treatment decisions so patients receive the right drug for their tumor’s biology.

Available through partner oncology centers, this test ensures accuracy, reliability, and clinical actionability—transforming complex genetics into real-world cancer care.

Why You Need This Test

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer (especially adenocarcinoma) or another ALK-associated tumor, this test could reveal a treatable genetic driver so your doctor can prescribe targeted therapy that stops cancer at the molecular level.

You need the ALK Fusion – FISH Test if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• You’re a non-smoker or young adult with lung cancer
• Your tumor is being tested for EGFR, ROS1, or PD-L1 (ALK should be tested too)
• You’re exploring targeted therapy options instead of chemo
• You have refractory or metastatic disease and need new treatment paths

This test helps:

• Identify ALK-positive status for FDA-approved drugs
• Avoid toxic chemotherapy if targeted therapy is available
• Improve progression-free survival by up to 2–3x vs chemo
• Enable earlier access to next-gen ALK inhibitors
• Support family awareness (though ALK fusions are not inherited)

Who Should Consider This Test?

The ALK Fusion – FISH Test is recommended for:

✅ Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Especially adenocarcinoma subtype.

✅ Younger Patients or Never-Smokers with Lung Cancer
Higher likelihood of ALK+ status.

✅ Those Being Evaluated for Targeted Therapy
e.g., crizotinib, alectinib.

✅ Individuals with Recurrent or Metastatic Disease
To explore effective second-line options.

✅ Oncologists & Pathologists
Seeking definitive biomarker confirmation for treatment planning.

This test is now part of routine biomarker testing guidelines (NCCN, ESMO, IASLC) and considered standard of care in advanced NSCLC.

How ALK Fusion Drives Cancer Growth

The ALK gene normally plays no role in adult lung tissue. But when it fuses with EML4 or another partner gene, it creates a fusion protein that:

• 🔬 Activates uncontrolled signaling pathways (e.g., MAPK, PI3K)
• 🔬 Promotes rapid cell division
• 🔬 Inhibits apoptosis (programmed cell death)

This leads to aggressive but targetable cancer growth.

FISH testing uses dual-color fluorescent probes:

• One probe binds upstream of the ALK gene
• One binds downstream
• If the signals split apart, it confirms a rearrangement/fusion

What Happens If You Skip ALK Testing?

Without ALK fusion testing, patients may:

⚠️ Receive ineffective chemotherapy with severe side effects
⚠️ Miss out on targeted therapies that offer longer remission
⚠️ Experience faster disease progression due to wrong treatment
⚠️ Be denied access to clinical trials for ALK+ cancers
⚠️ Suffer reduced quality of life and shorter survival

The good news? ALK+ cancers respond dramatically to targeted drugs:

• Alectinib → median PFS of 34.8 months vs 10.9 with chemo
• Lorlatinib → effective even after resistance develops
• Many patients live years with well-managed disease

How to Prepare for the Test

To ensure accurate results:

✅ Sample Type: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue block or slides
✅ No fasting or special prep required
✅ Provide clinical history: diagnosis, stage, prior treatments
✅ Your oncologist will coordinate sample submission from pathology lab

The lab performs FISH staining and microscopic analysis using break-apart probes interpreting hundreds of cells for signal patterns.

Test Overview

Benefits of the ALK Fusion – FISH Test

🔹 Guides Life-Saving Targeted Therapy
Replace chemo with precision medicine.

🔹 High Accuracy on Small Samples
Ideal for needle biopsies.

🔹 Fast Turnaround for Urgent Decisions
Critical in advanced disease.

🔹 Reduces Unnecessary Chemo
Only treat ALK+ patients with inhibitors.

🔹 Supports Clinical Trial Enrollment
Open doors to novel therapies.

If you or a loved one is facing lung or other ALK-associated cancer, the ALK Fusion – FISH Test gives you the answers you need in 5–7 days.