Description
The QIAsure Methylation Test is a multiplex real-time methylation-specific PCR (qMSP)-based assay for the detection of promoter hypermethylation of the genes FAM19A4 and hsa-mir124-2. Samples that may be tested with QIAsure Methylation Test include bisulfite-converted DNA isolated from physician-collected cervical specimens or self-collected vaginal samples. Want to try this solution for the first time? Request a quote for a trial kit. Self-screen B.V. is the legal manufacturer of the QIAsure Methylation Test.
The presence of high-risk HPV in epithelial cells in the cervix may result in transforming lesions in some women and hence development of cervical cancer (1–9). However, HPV is a common infection and in most cases it does not cause a pre-cancerous or cancerous lesion and is simply cleared by the woman’s immune system. Increased expression of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 in proliferating epithelial cells drives HPV induced carcinogenesis and results in a transforming HPV infection. The associated cervical precursor lesion, also called transforming cervical intraepithelial lesion or transforming CIN, may ultimately progress to cervical cancer. (See Natural history of the development of cervical cancer). This process is associated with the accumulation of epigenetic alterations, i.e., increased DNA methylation in specific tumor suppressor genes. By detecting promoter hypermethylation of the tumor suppressor genes FAM19A4 and/or hsa- mir124-2, women with advanced transforming CIN and hence at a high risk of short-term disease progression can be distinguished from women with productive or early transforming CIN who are at low risk of progression to cancer. (See Heterogeneity in CIN and associated risk of disease progression).
The QIAsure Methylation Test is a multiplex real-time PCR test that amplifies the methylated promoter regions of the tumor suppressor genes FAM19A4 and hsa-mir124-2, as well as a methylation-unspecific fragment of a reference gene that acts as an internal sample quality control. The QIAsure assay runs on Rotor-Gene Q MDx instrument and the Rotor-Gene AssayManager software automatically performs data analysis and interpretation. (See QIAsure Methylation Test).
