MLH1 Promoter Hypermethylation

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General Information

Lab Name
MLH1 Promoter Hypermethylation
Lab Code
MLH1MT
Epic Ordering
Order using "UW Genetics and Solid Tumor Test Request"

See tip sheet for more information (internal link).

Description

MLH1 promoter methylation assay is useful for the evaluation of hereditary colorectal cancer and tumors that have MLH1 and PMS2 loss by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Approximately 85% of tumors that have IHC loss of MLH1 and PMS2 will have MLH1 promoter methylation, the majority of which is somatic in origin. The remaining tumors with IHC loss of MLH1 and PMS2 will have somatic or germline mutations in MLH1. Individuals with germline mutations in MLH1 have an increased risk for cancer associated with Lynch syndrome. When methylation is negative, molecular MLH1 testing of germline and/or tumor is recommended to determine the cause of the MLH1 and PMS2 loss and whether a patient has Lynch syndrome.

Forms & Requisitions

Providers with access to the UW implementation of Epic (i.e., FHCC, HMC, SCCA, UWMC, UWNW) may order this test using the order "UW Genetics and Solid Tumor Test Request." See tip sheet for more information (internal link).

Synonyms
Colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, Gynecological Oncology Pathway, GYNPTH
Components

Interpretation

Method

Tumor DNA is bisulfite converted and amplified with a PCR-based assay to assess MLH1 promoter hypermethylation

Reference Range
See individual components
Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type
Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded tissue or whole blood
Collection

EITHER (a) slides OR (b) tissue block OR (c) blood:

(a) Instructions for slide specimens: 1 slide at 4-micron thickness stained with hematoxylin-and-eosin AND 10 unstained, non-baked slides at 10-micron thickness (a minimum of 5 unstained slides is acceptable). Unstained slides can be on charged or uncharged slides.

Note: sections should contain as much tumor as possible.

(b) Instructions for tissue block specimen: Provide complete tissue block containing tumor tissue. If there is more than one tissue block, please provide the block that has the greatest amount of tumor tissue. Tissue block will be returned at completion of testing.

(c) Instruction for blood specimens: Normal tissue or blood can be submitted for evaluation of constitutional MLH1 promoter hypermethylation
• 10 mL whole blood in LAVENDER TOP EDTA tube.
• Also acceptable: YELLOW TOP ACD tube, purified DNA from peripheral blood or cultured cells

(d) Add-on after prior testing in our lab: contact Genetics lab

Unacceptable: Decalcified sample

Forms & Requisitions

Providers with access to the UW implementation of Epic (i.e., FHCC, HMC, SCCA, UWMC, UWNW) may order this test using the order "UW Genetics and Solid Tumor Test Request." See tip sheet for more information (internal link).

Handling Instructions

Attach a copy of the pathology report for the tumor sample being submitted.

Outside Laboratories: Ship at room temperature.

Quantity
requested: Slides or tissue block or blood as noted above.
minimum: 5 unstained slides (10-micron thickness) with 20% tumor nuclei or 5mL peripheral blood

Processing

Processing

Hold slides or tissue blocks at room temperature.

Outside Laboratories: Ship at room temperature.

Performance

LIS Dept Code
Genetics (GEN)
Performing Location(s)
UW-MT Genetics

Attention: Genetics Lab
Clinical lab, Room NW220
University of Washington Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195

Tel: 206-598–6429 M–F (7:30 AM–4:00 PM)
Fax: 206-598–0304
Lab email: cgateam@uw.edu

Tel (EXOME only): 206-543-0459

Manager
Joe Bernal

Genetic Counselors
Angela Jacobson, MS, LGC
Sandra Coe, MS,LGC
Dru Leistritz, MS, LGC(EXOME testing only)

Variant Review Scientist
Ankita Jhuraney, PhD
Sarah Paolucci, MA, MS, LGC
Catherine A. Darcey, MSc
Daniel W. Serber, PhD, MS, LCGC

Faculty
Jillian Buchan, PhD, FACMG
Runjun Kumar, MD, PhD
Christina Lockwood, PhD, DABCC, DABMGG
Brian Shirts, MD, PhD
Abbye McEwen, MD, PhD
Colin Pritchard, MD, PhD
Vera Paulson, MD, PhD
Eric Konnick, MD, MS
He Fang, PhD

Frequency
Run at least once a week
Available STAT?
No

Billing & Coding

CPT codes
81288
LOINC
58416-9