This website provides information about laboratory diagnostic services. The analyses presented are not a therapy and do not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Medical decisions are made exclusively by your attending physician.
Discover the future of personalized cancer diagnostics! Precision diagnostics cancer: Our individualized tumor diagnosis or individualized cancer diagnostics analyzes the unique genetic signature of your tumor for tailored treatment. personalized cancer therapy in focus.
With individualized cancer diagnostics, we go far beyond standard tests. Our precision cancer diagnostics procedures enable personalized cancer therapy that is precisely matched to your biological characteristics. The customized tumor diagnosis forms the foundation for your successful healing.
Through precision tumor diagnosis methods and tailored cancer diagnostics, you receive individualized tumor treatment that maximizes your individual chances. Our targeted tumor diagnostics is the key to your optimal treatment strategy.
Our laboratory services include the analysis of the genetic and molecular properties of tumor tissue and circulating tumor cells. These examinations can provide treating physicians with additional information for therapy decisions.
Molecular diagnostics examines the individual genetic signature of a tumor and can provide information on possible therapeutic approaches.
WHY PERSONALIZATION IS IMPORTANT?
Tumors behave like adaptive complex systems
- You can use alternative metabolic pathways if a main pathway is blocked
- They can develop active detoxification mechanisms against medication
- They can change their molecular properties during therapy
- They communicate with their environment (tumor microenvironment)
Guidelines & personalized therapy
Tailor-made diagnostics
Guidelines mean that all patients with stomach cancer, for example, are treated according to the same guidelines. To put it simply, this could be described as the “watering can principle”. However, if you take a closer look at gastric cancer tumors using the molecular biology and biochemistry methods available today, you will see that none of these tumors is identical to any other tumor in this group. This inevitably leads to the demand for individual personalized therapy. This means that modern molecular biology methods are used to identify the signaling and metabolic pathways used by the individual tumor and find target structures that can be blocked with approved drugs.
So you are looking for the Achilles heel of the tumor.
As part of an individualized therapy, certain target structures can then be attacked and blocked. Target structures are, for example, nodes in the tumor’s message system, also known as receptors, which receive a message and then pass it on, similar to a telephone system. These receptors each consist of very complex proteins that can be blocked by a suitable drug.
Tumors have a life of their own, comparable to individuals that build up a network of communication, energy procurement, sensor technology and production.
They thus react to influences within the body, but also to influences from outside. Classic tumor drugs, such as platinum compounds, can provoke protective mechanisms, also known as resistance , in the surviving tumor cells. This includes, for example, the ejection of drugs by coupling them to transport proteins (ABC transporters, ligases, etc.) and thus removing them from the tumor cell. Or, in response to the therapy, the tumor cell uses parallel metabolic pathways against which the drug used may not be effective. This is comparable to the situation on a city street: if the main road is blocked by an obstacle, traffic is diverted via a side street.
Individualized cancer diagnostics – as unique as you are
Our individualized cancer diagnostics or precision diagnostics cancer take your genetic characteristics and lifestyle into account. Individualized tumour diagnost ics not only analyses the tumour, but also your body’s own factors. With individualized cancer diagnostics, we develop a comprehensive picture of your individual situation.
Precision diagnostics for targeted cancer treatment
Precision cancer diagnost ics uses the latest biomarker analyses for precise results. Our precision tumor diagnostics identifies specific targets for your therapy. Precision cancer diagnostics enables us to determine the most effective treatment options for you.
Personalized cancer therapy based on your diagnosis
Personalized cancer therapy is tailored precisely to your diagnostic results. Our personalized cancer therapy maximizes efficacy while minimizing side effects. With personalized cancer therapy, you receive the best possible treatment for your specific situation.
Customized diagnostics for optimal results
Our customized diagnostics combine various analysis methods individually for you. The individual diagnosis takes into account all relevant factors of your illness. With customized diagnostics, we create the perfect basis for your successful therapy.
LIMITS OF STANDARD THERAPY
Research shows
Guideline-based treatments follow uniform specifications for certain tumor types. However, molecular biology research shows that
- Every tumor has individual genetic differences, even with the same diagnosis
- Standard therapies can vary in their effectiveness
- Tumor cells can develop resistance mechanisms
- In the event of relapses, the original therapies may lose their effectiveness
Liquid Biopsy technology
Examination of circulating tumor cells
Our Liquid Biopsy technology enables the analysis of circulating tumor cells from the blood:
Tumor analysis from the blood
Circulating tumor cells can provide insights into the tumor, including possible metastases, without invasive procedures.
Dynamic monitoring
Molecular changes can be observed and therapy resistance can potentially be detected at an early stage.
Detection of the smallest tumor remnants
The technology can also detect minimal tumor loads that are not visible using imaging techniques.
Our diagnostic approach
Scientific foundations
- Isolation of circulating tumor cells
We use molecular biological methods to selectively isolate tumor cells from blood, biopsies or other body fluids (urine, cerebrospinal fluid, ascites). - mRNA expression analysis
We analyze the activity of genes and thus the signaling and metabolic pathways of tumor cells. In contrast to pure mutation analysis, we record the active biological processes. - Identification of targets
We examine possible weak points of the tumor and identify potential targeted therapy options that can be discussed with the attending physician.
Our analysis process
1
Isolation of tumor cells
The work begins with the isolation of circulating tumor cells from the blood. These cells can provide information about the activities of the tumor cells. Alternatively, tumor cells can also be isolated from biopsies, urine, cerebrospinal fluid or ascites.
2
Determination of gene expression
An important step is to determine the relevant gene expression in the isolated tumor cells. This involves identifying the activity of genes that provide insights into the metabolic and signaling pathways of tumor cells. The metabolism provides energy and materials that the tumor cell needs for growth and division. The signaling pathways are involved in the control of cell activities and communication with surrounding cells.
3
Identification of therapy options
Based on the knowledge gained and scientific studies, we identify substances that may be suitable for influencing the metabolic and signaling pathways of tumor cells.
4
Information for attending physicians
Our examination results can provide the attending physician with additional information to evaluate therapeutic approaches. The targeted analysis of metabolic and signaling pathways can provide information on individual therapy options that can be tailored to the characteristics of the tumor in question.
At iQMedix, we rely on molecular biological technologies in cancer diagnostics. Our aim is to provide scientifically sound diagnostic information.
Early recognition
Circulating tumor cells
Even small tumors can release tumor cells into the blood. The smallest documented primary tumor that released CTCs (Circulating Tumor Cells) was measured at 0.094 mm x 0.094 mm. Its volume was calculated to be 0.0004 mm³ and its productivity was estimated to be 1 CTC per 30 minutes.
This means that CTCs are released into the blood and/or lymphatic system at a very early stage and can provide information about tumor metabolism. This “early tumor” is often undetectable using imaging techniques.
The CTCs contain tumor DNA, tumor mRNA as well as proteins and metabolic products produced by the tumor.
Technical challenge
The isolation of CTCs is technically demanding. One milliliter of blood contains billions of red blood cells and millions of white blood cells, among which, depending on the stage of the disease, there are one to ten circulating tumor cells (or more in later stages).
The analysis of these CTCs can provide comprehensive information about the tumor and possible metastases.
distinguish between healthy cells and tumor cells
Insulation technology
Tumor cells differ from healthy cells in their altered genetic activity, which is also reflected in structures on the cell surface. Antibodies can recognize these structures and distinguish between healthy cells and tumour cells.
During isolation, antibodies are coupled to magnetic particles (micrometer-sized) and mixed with the blood sample. The antibodies bind to non-tumor cells and can be removed from the sample using a filter column and magnets. The tumor cells remain.
To verify that these are tumor cells and not scattered healthy epithelial cells that have detached from healthy tissue, around 10 marker genes that are typical for tumors are examined. Subsequently, relevant gene expressions of the circulating tumor cells are quantified by RT-PCR and linked to therapy options.
The number of CTCs can also be influenced by chemotherapeutic agents.
About our work
- More than 10 years of experience in molecular biological diagnostics
- Specialization in personalized tumor diagnostics
- Use of molecular biological technologies
- Scientifically sound analysis methods
