Test Directory

ALK, 2p23.2-p23.1

The LSI dual break-apart rearrangement probe contains two differently labelled probes on either side of the breakpoint of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK has multiple fusion partners including nucleophasmin (NPM1) in anaplastic large cell lymphoma and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein 4 (EML4) in non- small cell lung cancer.

EML4/ALK fusions are the result of paracentric inversions involving the short arm of chromosome 2. The breakpoints of the inversions are within the EML4 locus (2p21) and the ALK locus (2p23). FISH can detect this rearrangement in either interphase or metaphase cells.

• Lithium heparin is not acceptable.
• Specimens must be collected in a sterile collection container.

Each specimen must be accompanied by a requisition form, script, electronic order or physician note. Each order must indicate the reason for testing (diagnosis).

• Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.
• Store specimen as whole blood, in original tube, at room temperature and deliver to lab within 24 hours.
• If specimen cannot be delivered within 24 hours, store in refrigerator. Do not freeze specimen.
• Specimens collected on the weekends must be refrigerated upon arrival at HNL Lab Medicine.

• Specimen frozen
• Specimen arriving without any form of patient identification (unlabeled)
• Specimen with attached needles
• Specimen arriving with broken or leaking collection tube
• Unfixed specimen treated with fixative

In a normal cell, the expected signal pattern is two fusion signals. In an abnormal cell containing a rearrangement, the expected signal pattern is one red signal, one green signal, and one fusion signal.

• FISH ALK Breakapart, Heme
• ALK BA
• ALK
• Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase