ABSTRACT
The development of several ALK inhibitors means that the importance of accurately identifying ALK-positive lung cancer has never been greater. Therefore, it is crucial that ALK testing assays become more standardized. The aim of this review is to comment on the recently FDA-approved VENTANA ALK (D5F3) Companion Diagnostic (CDx) Assay. This kit provides high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of ALK rearrangements and seamless integration into the laboratory workflow, with a fully automated analytical phase and fast interpretation. The use of controls increases the sensitivity and specificity and a dichotomous scoring approach enhances reproducibility.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
F Lopez-Rios receives honoraria and research funding from Pfizer, Abbott Molecular and Roche Diagnostics. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.