Microarray-based Gene Expression Testing for Cancers of Unknown Primary
DESCRIPTION
Cancers of unknown primary (CUP) or occult primary malignancies are tumors that have metastasized from an unknown primary source and make up approximately 2% - 4% of all cancer cases in the United States. These cancers are often accompanied by a poor prognosis.
Conventional methods used to aid in the identification of the origin of a cancer of unknown primary malignancy include a thorough history and physical examination, computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, routine laboratory studies, and targeted evaluation of specific signs and symptoms. Identifying the primary origin of a tumor can dictate cancer specific treatment, expected outcome, and prognosis.
Microarray-based gene expression testing, also known as gene expression profiling, is proposed for use in identifying the original site of cancers of unknown primary. These tests measure the expression of up to 2,000 genes and compare the similarity of the gene expression profile of a cancer of unknown primary to a database of known tissue profiles with histologic morphologies. Examples of these tests include Tissue of Origin®, CancerTYPE ID®, and RosettaGX Cancer Origin™.
POLICY
Microarray-based gene expression testing used for the evaluation of cancers of unknown primary, including, but not limited to, the following indications is considered investigational:
To measure the degree of similarity between the RNA expression pattern in a fresh frozen tumor and a database of tumor samples (poorly differentiated, undifferentiated, and metastatic cases) that were diagnosed according to then-current clinical and pathological practice
To establish the origin of tumors that cannot be diagnosed according to current clinical and pathological practice (e.g., carcinoma of unknown primary)
To subclassify or modify the classification of tumors that can be diagnosed by current clinical and pathological practice
To predict disease course, survival, or treatment efficacy
To distinguish primary from metastatic tumors
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The clinical utility of microarray-based gene expression testing for cancers of unknown primary has not been determined. The clinical application of gene expression profiling to direct patient management and tumor site-specific therapy also has not been demonstrated in prospective studies. The impact of this testing on clinical outcomes remains unknown.
SOURCES
Agwa, E., & Ma, P. (2013). Overview of various techniques/platforms with critical evaluation of each. Current Treatment Options in Oncology, 14 (4), 623-633. Abstract retrieved October 13, 2017 from PubMed database.
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Evidence Positioning System. (4:2023). Gene expression-based assays for cancers of unknown primary (2.04.54). Retrieved October 18, 2023 from www.bcbsaoca.com/eps/. (30 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Greco, F.A., Lennington, W.J., Spigel, D.R., & Hainsworth, J.D. (2015). Poorly differentiated neoplasms of unknown primary site: diagnostic usefulness of a molecular cancer classifier assay. Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy, 19 (2), 91-97. Abstract retrieved September 19, 2018 from PubMed database.
Hayashi, H., Kurata, T., Takiguchi, Y., Arai, M., Takeda, K., Akiyoshi, K., et al. (2019). Randomized phase II trial comparing site-specific treatment based on gene expression profiling with carboplatin and paclitaxel for patients with cancer of unknown primary site. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 37 (7), 570–579. (Level 2 evidence)
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2023, September). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). Occult primary (cancer of unknown primary, [CUP]) (V.1.2024). Retrieved October 18, 2023 from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). (2010, July; last update search April 2023). Metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin in adults: diagnosis and management. Retrieved October 18, 2023 from http://www.nice.org.
Sokilde, R., Vincent, M., Moller, A., Hansen, A., Hoiby, P., Blondal, T., et al. (2014). Efficient identification of miRNAs for classification of tumor origin. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 16 (1), 106-115. (Level 4 evidence)
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2012, May). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K120489. Retrieved February 28, 2013 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov.
Yoon, H.H., Foster, N.R., Meyers, J.P., Steen, P.D., Visscher, D.W., Pillai, R., et al. (2015). Gene expression profiling identifies responsive patients with cancer of unknown primary treated with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and everolimus: NCCTG N0871 (alliance). Annals of Oncology, 27, 339-344. (Level 3 evidence)
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/14/2009
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 12/14/2023
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