TERT is a gene that provides instructions for making part of an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase helps maintain structures called telomeres, which protect the ends of chromosomes. TERT is considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a measurable feature in a tumour, such as a gene change, that helps doctors understand how a cancer behaves and …
Read More »
MYC is a gene that provides instructions for making the MYC protein, which plays a major role in controlling how cells grow, divide, and use energy. MYC is considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a measurable feature in a tumour, such as a gene change or protein abnormality, that helps doctors understand how a cancer …
Read More »
BCL6 is a gene that provides instructions for making the BCL6 protein, which acts as a transcription factor. A transcription factor is a protein that controls which genes inside a cell are turned on or off. BCL6 is considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a measurable feature in a tumour, such as a gene change …
Read More »
RET is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein involved in cell growth and development. The RET protein acts as a receptor on the surface of specific cells, where it receives signals that help control how cells grow, divide, and survive. RET is considered a biomarker. A biomarker is a measurable feature in …
Read More »
A somatic mutation is a change in a gene that occurs during a person’s lifetime in a specific group of cells. These mutations are not present at birth and are not passed down from parents. Instead, they develop in cells as they grow and divide. Somatic mutations are common in many types of cancer because …
Read More »
Variant allele frequency (VAF) is a measurement used in the genetic testing of tumours. It describes how common a specific genetic change is within a tested tissue sample and is usually reported as a percentage. Tumours are often tested for genetic changes because these changes can explain why a cancer developed, how it may behave, …
Read More »
MLH1 promoter methylation is a change that affects the way the MLH1 gene is switched on and off. The MLH1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that repairs mistakes in DNA. When the promoter region of the gene (the “on–off switch”) becomes abnormally methylated, the MLH1 gene is turned off. As a result, the …
Read More »
POLD1 is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called DNA polymerase delta. This protein works together with other DNA polymerases, including POLE, to copy DNA when cells divide. Like POLE, POLD1 has a proofreading function that helps correct mistakes during DNA replication. This proofreading keeps the genetic code accurate and prevents harmful …
Read More »
POLE is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called DNA polymerase epsilon. This protein is very important because it helps copy DNA when cells divide. It also has a special function called proofreading, which works like a spell-checker to make sure mistakes in DNA are fixed. When POLE is working normally, it …
Read More »
ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) are small fragments of genetic material (DNA) released into the bloodstream by cancer cells. All cells in the body shed bits of DNA when they die, but ctDNA comes specifically from tumor cells. Because these DNA fragments carry the same genetic changes as the tumor, they can be analyzed to learn …
Read More »
