Cancer - Prevention

Preventive genetic test against sporadic colorectal carcinoma

Genetic polymorphisms analyzed in COLOgen target a pathway involved in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. COLOgen should be prescribed to individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or of intestinal polyps.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Septin9 test: A simple blood test for the detection of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Until now more than 230.000 people die of this disease within the european region. Although, CRC is curable if diagnosed early. A preventive screening on a regular basis is therefore of primordial importancel and should be an essential part of a general health check-up of people 50 years and older.

Concerning a preventive screening for CRC there is the possibility to regularly check the stool for occult blood. Furthermore, there is the possibility to carry out a colonoscopy that can be repeated after 10 years if the patient has been tested negative. Even though both screening methods have been proven to be very effective, the acceptance within the population is low. Reasons for the low acceptance are a dismissive attitude towards self-retrieved stool samples and towards colonoscopy. Therefore the Septin9-test offers a simple, non-invasive alternative for a preventive screening.

How does the test work?
In many diseases associated with tumors the methylation pattern of several genes can change. In colorectal cancer the Septin9 gene is methylated within a certain promotor region while it is not methylated in cells of the healthy intestinal mucosa.This methylated DNA can be detected by the Septin9 blood test. Only 1 blood draw is necessary.

How are the results of the Septin9 test interpreted?
A negative test result means that methylated Septin9-DNA could not be detected. So with this method, a  CRC can be excluded. The negative predictive value of this test is 99,9%. That means that 999 of 1000 patients tested negative are correctly classified as being CRC negative (with an assumed CRC prevalence of 0,7%). A positive test result means that there is an increased likelihood for the presence of colorectal cancer. Since 45,7% of the patients tested positive are truly positve (positive predictive value) individuals with a positive test result are requested to undergo a colonoscopy for a definitive diagnosis.

Preventive genetic test against sporadic prostate cancer

Recommendations based on variations of polymorphisms involved in dihydrotestosterone levels and five other genetic variations which play an important role in the early stages of carcinogenesis. PROSTATEgen is recommended in case of family history of prostate cancer.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Preventive genetic test to counteract side effects of hormone replacement therapy

The test analyzes polymorphisms involved in the metabolism of estrogens and detoxification of estrogen metabolites. FEMgen may be performed by women prior to hormonal replacement therapy or by women who have a family history of breast cancer.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Preventive genetic test for phase I & II detoxification

This test analyzes key genes involved in xenobiotics and drug metabolism, e.g. detoxification of insecticides, herbicides, nicotine, alcohol and carcinogenic substrates. DETOXgen is especially appropriate as a basic profile for anti-aging treatment and allows to improve detoxification capacities in order to prevent environmental diseases.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

The PHARMAgen Customized Analysis enables physicians to gather relevant information about pharmacogenetic and drug interactions without it being necessary to know what drug pathways are involved. Three different approaches are possible, if the information is scientifically available:

• the physician prescribes a PHARMAgen test for any drug and gets pharmacogenetic information,
• the physician provides a list of drugs which a patient is already treated with and asks for drug interactions or possible pharmacogenetic issues, or finally
• the physician may also prescribe the genetic analysis of known polymorphisms of any phase I enzyme.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Short-chain fatty acids are formed in the intestine during the metabolism of fibers and complex carbohydrates by bacteria. The fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate are particularly important: they are the main source of energy for the intestinal epithelium, stimulate the formation of mucus, have anti-inflammatory effects (mainly butyrate) and counteract weigh increase (mainly propionate).

A balanced ratio of short-chain fatty acids is thus essential for intestinal health. With the help of the profile for short-chain fatty acids, targeted nutritional measures as well as combinations with special probiotics can be taken.

DETOXgen micronutrition test is a preventive genetic profile for the determination of the phase I and phase II detoxification genes.

Micronutrition recommendations that are likely to have an impact on the genes and therefore on the enzymes function are widely detailed for each genetic variation.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Preventive genetic test against emotional instability

EMOgen analyzes polymorphisms in relation with the metabolism of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin), the homocysteine metabolism, serotonin synthesis and transport. This test allows to counteract the development of depression and anxiety disorders.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Homocysteinemia

A thermolabile variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, caused by a mutation at position 677, is associated with an increased homocysteine level. An increased homocysteine level can increase the risk of developing thrombosis and atherosclerosis.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Preventive genetic test against nicotine addiction

The NICOTINEgen profile characterizes genetic variations in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor associated with nicotine addiction. Results allow to define the risk of addiction and to facilitate the choice between a nicotine replacement therapy (patches or chewing-gum containing nicotine) or a medical therapy (e.g. bupropion or varenicline).

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited  laboratory.

Genetic test to determine the bioavailability of free vitamin D

Vitamin D regulates several biological functions but up to 90% of vitamin D is bound to the vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) being responsible  for its transportation.
Less than 1% of the vitamin D only is freely available and therefore biologically active.
By investigating SNPs within the VDBP gene, which are associated with a different affinity to vitamin D metabolites, freeVitaminDgen detects if there is a deficiency of bioavailable vitamin D.

This test is carried out on a sub-contracted basis by an accredited laboratory.

Vitamins are crucial parts of biochemical conversions in the body, such as co-factors in enzyme reactions and play an important role against oxidative stress. Deficiency or excess of vitamins can lead to a decreased function of several (organ) systems and the human body as a whole. Therefore, vitamin testing gives insight into absolute and relative deficiencies, and provides information about the impact of dietary changes and supplementations.

Laboratoires Réunis offers the following tests related to vitamins:

• Vitamin B3
• folic acid (vitamin B9)
• Vitamin B12
• Holotranscobalamin (active vitamin B12)
• freeVitaminDgen (genetic test to determine the bio-availability of free vitamin D)
• Biotin (vitamin H)

Minerals are dissolved substances that are present within and outside the body cell. They are essential for several metabolic processes like enzyme activation, regulation of water balance and pH. Increased or decreased levels can impair metabolic processes and additionally give information about possible diseases.

Laboratoires Réunis offers complete analysis of minerals including sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, selenium. Single analysis on demand.