Classification of tumors using whole-genome methylation profiling

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

Given the emphasis at the NCI on precision cancer medicine, the NCI-Laboratory of Pathology has implemented methylation-based modality for routine diagnostic on all brain tumor cases. While this technique is being used at several centers in Europe, to our knowledge, we are one of only 3 centers in North America (in addition to the University of Toronto and New York University) where this has been implemented for brain tumor diagnosis. The goals of the brain tumor diagnosis program at the NCI-Laboratory of Pathology are to serve as a precision diagnostic modality for patients seen at the NCI, and as a resource for diagnostic applications for difficult-to diagnose brain tumors throughout the United States. An advantage of this platform in a pathology practice is that it is technically robust on routinely processed formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, making this applicable to virtually any brain tumor specimen encountered in daily practice. Overall, methylation classifier for brain tumors is perhaps the most exciting development in solid tumor cancer diagnostics since the advent of techniques such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-sit hybridization (FISH). Going forward, methylation classifiers are being developed for additional tumor types using the same platform, increasing its utility and application across the spectrum of human cancer. The NCI Laboratory of Pathology is poised, in collaboration with partners in Europe and North America, to help lead this effort for a new era in precision cancer diagnostics.