Cancer of Unknown Primary
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) consists of metastatic disease without an identifiable primary tumour site. CUP represents approximately 3-5% of all tumours, however many more cases of cancer begin without knowing the primary site, until a full complement of diagnostic tests have been completed.
The prognosis and treatment selection for cancer patients are typically dependent on the origin of the primary tumour, highlighting the important need to identify this site. A variety of methods are currently used to help identify the tumours origin, including multiple immunohistochemistries, X-rays, CAT and PET scans, all with varying degrees of success.
A promising new approach for diagnosis lies in the ability of gene expression analysis (ie what genes are turned on, and what genes are turned off within a tumour) to identify the origin of the tumour. The Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute has been leading this research in Australia over the past five years, culminating in the development of a multi-gene CUP assay 1.
Healthscope and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, through their licensing partner, Circadian Therapeutics, have formed a partnership to move this technology from the research laboratory to an accredited pathology provider for use by Australian clinicians.
Healthscope Advanced Pathology is currently completing the validation of this assay and hopes to have it available for use in 2010.