Test Directory

ALK gene rearrangement

Containers - Adult

FFPE block / H&E slide / Pathology report

Laboratory Site

RIE

51 Little France Crescent
Old Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA

Telephone: 0131 536 1000

Transport arrangements

Referral specimens should be sent directly to Molecular Pathology at the above address (see transport recommendations). For patients with pathology specimens held within NHS Lothian there is no need to arrange transport of specimens.

How to request

ALK gene rearrangement analysis can be requested individually or as part of the lung cancer panel.

Testing for NHS Lothian patients can be requested by email to molecular.pathology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.

Referral requests must be accompanied by a completed

Molecular Pathology Request form v11_PDF.pdf

Please also refer to our detailed requesting instructions.

Availability

Monday - Friday. 09:00 – 17:00

Anticipated turnaround

An integrated Molecular Pathology report should be available within 10 working days. See results.

Static information/disclaimer

ALK FISH is accredited to ISO15189.

ALK Immunohistochemistry is not currently accredited to ISO15189.

Please note, alternative methodologies may be used. Full details will be included in all reports.

General additional information

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene encodes a tyrosine kinase normally expressed in neuronal cells. The ALK gene can, by deletion or translocation, form a fusion protein, which is abnormally expressed in approximately 2 to 5% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The presence of ALK gene rearrangement predicts response to ALK inhibitor therapy.

Immunohistochemistry is carried out to detect the ALK fusion protein using the D5F3 clone (Cell Signaling). ALK gene rearrangement analysis is carried out by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH).

Analysis of the ALK gene is carried out as part of the lung cancer testing panel, which also includes EGFR and KRAS mutation analysis, PD-L1 expression and detection of ROS1 gene rearrangments.

For clinical advice on appropriate investigations, please contact our Molecular Pathology team.