Molecular assays for translocation detection in different tumors have gradually been incorporated into routine diagnostics. However, conventional methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcriptase-PCR come with several drawbacks.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can provide in-depth detection of numerous gene alterations. The anchored multiplex PCR assay proved to be a fast and easy-to-analyze approach for routine diagnostics laboratories.
Next-generation sequencing-based anchored multiplex PCR technique (Archer FusionPlex Panels) is beneficial in both diagnosis for patient care and in identification of a novel fusion breakpoint in tumors. NGS is useful in identifying targetable molecular changes (point mutations, fusion genes, etc.) in tumors that can serve as a rationale for inclusion of patients with advanced disease in ongoing clinical trials and allow for better risk stratification.