Evidence-Based Supplement & Herb Guides

PML-RARA Fusion Test: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Gene Fusion, and MRD Monitoring

Learn how PML-RARA testing confirms acute promyelocytic leukemia, how PCR and FISH differ, and how molecular MRD monitoring detects persistent or recurrent APL.

A PML-RARA fusion test looks for the defining genetic abnormality of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In most APL, parts of the PML gene on...

RUNX1 Mutation Test: AML, Myelodysplastic Syndrome Risk, and Mutation Meaning

Understand RUNX1 mutation testing in AML and MDS, including result meaning, modern classification, prognosis, germline risk, and follow-up implications.

A RUNX1 mutation test looks for changes in the RUNX1 gene, a major regulator of blood-cell development. Acquired RUNX1 mutations occur in a subset...

Serum Free Light Chain Test: Kappa, Lambda, Ratio, Myeloma, and Plasma Cell Disorders

Understand serum free light chain testing for kappa, lambda, and the ratio, including kidney effects, myeloma and MGUS patterns, and treatment monitoring.

A serum free light chain test measures free kappa (κ) and free lambda (λ) immunoglobulin light chains in the blood and calculates the kappa-to-lambda...

Serum Immunofixation Test: Monoclonal Protein Type, Myeloma, and Plasma Cell Disorders

Understand serum immunofixation results, including monoclonal protein type, IgG/IgA/IgM and kappa/lambda patterns, myeloma testing, MGUS, and follow-up.

A serum immunofixation test looks for an abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin in blood and identifies what type it is. The result can help confirm that...

Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) Test: M Protein, Myeloma, and Monoclonal Gammopathy

Learn how to read an SPEP test, including M-spike meaning, monoclonal versus polyclonal patterns, myeloma and MGUS evaluation, limitations, and follow-up.

Serum protein electrophoresis, or SPEP, separates proteins in blood into recognizable fractions and can reveal a monoclonal protein, often called an M protein, M...

SOX11 Test: Mantle Cell Lymphoma Marker, Positive Staining, and Diagnostic Meaning

Understand SOX11 testing in mantle cell lymphoma, including positive nuclear staining, cyclin D1-negative MCL, SOX11-negative subtypes, diagnosis, and prognosis.

A SOX11 test is mainly a pathology test used to help identify and classify mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). SOX11 is a transcription factor that...

TET2 Mutation Test: Blood Cancer, Clonal Hematopoiesis, Myeloid Neoplasms, and Mutation Meaning

Understand TET2 mutation testing, including CHIP and CCUS, AML and MDS associations, variant allele frequency, cancer risk, prognosis, and appropriate follow-up.

A TET2 mutation test looks for acquired changes in the TET2 gene in blood or bone marrow cells. TET2 helps regulate DNA methylation and...

TP53 Mutation Test for Blood Cancer: High-Risk Leukemia, Mutation Status, and Prognosis

Understand TP53 mutation testing in blood cancer, including AML and MDS risk, multi-hit disease, del(17p), VAF, clonal hematopoiesis, and treatment impact.

A TP53 mutation test looks for changes in one of the body's most important tumor-suppressor genes. In blood cancers, TP53 abnormalities are especially important...

TP53 Test for CLL: del17p, TP53 Mutation, Treatment Risk, and Prognosis

Understand TP53 testing in CLL, including del(17p), TP53 mutations, low-VAF clones, when to repeat testing, targeted treatment choices, and modern prognosis.

TP53 testing is one of the most important genetic evaluations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) because TP53 disruption can change which treatments are expected...

Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP) Test: Bence Jones Protein, Myeloma Monitoring, and Meaning

Understand UPEP testing for Bence Jones protein, including 24-hour urine collection, monoclonal light chains, myeloma monitoring, kidney risk, and result meaning.

Urine protein electrophoresis, or UPEP, separates proteins in urine and can detect and measure monoclonal free light chains, historically called Bence Jones proteins. These...

AFP-L3 Test: Liver Cancer Risk, AFP Fraction, HCC Monitoring, and Result Meaning

$AFP-L3 testing measures the AFP-L3 fraction linked with hepatocellular carcinoma risk. Learn what high AFP-L3% means, common cutoffs, limitations, and next steps.$

The AFP-L3 test measures a specific form of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) that is more closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver...

BRAF V600E Test for Colon Cancer: Mutation Status, Prognosis, and Lynch Syndrome Workup

BRAF V600E testing in colon cancer helps guide prognosis, targeted therapy, and MLH1-deficient Lynch syndrome workup. Learn what positive and negative results mean.

The BRAF V600E test looks for a specific activating mutation in the BRAF gene that is clinically important in colorectal cancer. In metastatic disease,...

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Test for Pancreatic Cancer: Hereditary Risk, DNA Repair, and Variant Meaning

BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in pancreatic cancer can reveal hereditary risk and DNA-repair targets. Learn germline vs somatic results, VUS meaning, treatment impact, and family testing.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing in pancreatic cancer looks for changes in DNA-repair genes that can matter for both inherited cancer risk and treatment selection....

CA 19-9 Test for Pancreatic Cancer: High Levels, Monitoring, and Bile Duct Causes

CA 19-9 is the main blood marker used to monitor pancreatic cancer. Learn what high levels mean, how bile duct obstruction affects results, normal cutoffs, and follow-up steps.

CA 19-9 is the blood tumor marker used most often in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but its biggest value is monitoring a known cancer, not...

CEA Test for Colon Cancer: High Levels, Monitoring, Recurrence, and Benign Causes

CEA helps monitor colon cancer and may signal recurrence, but benign conditions can also raise it. Learn typical ranges, false-positive causes, surveillance use, and next steps.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the blood tumor marker used most often to monitor colon cancer after diagnosis and treatment. It is especially useful when...

CEA Test for Pancreatic Cancer: Tumor Marker Levels, Monitoring, and Result Meaning

CEA can rise in pancreatic cancer but is usually a secondary marker to CA 19-9. Learn typical CEA ranges, benign causes, monitoring uses, limitations, and next steps.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a blood tumor marker that can rise in pancreatic cancer, but it is not the primary serum marker for this...

Cholangiocarcinoma Biomarker Panel: CA 19-9, FGFR2, IDH1, IDH2, and Molecular Profile

A cholangiocarcinoma biomarker panel combines a serum marker such as CA 19-9 with tumor molecular testing that can uncover actionable alterations. The distinction is...

CLDN18.2 Test for Gastric Cancer: Claudin 18.2 Expression Score and Tumor Marker Meaning

CLDN18.2 testing uses gastric cancer tissue to measure claudin 18.2 expression. Learn the ≥75% positivity threshold, IHC scoring, treatment meaning, and key limitations.

The CLDN18.2 test is a tumor-tissue immunohistochemistry test used to identify gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas that express enough claudin 18.2 to qualify for...

Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Panel: KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MSI, CEA, and Molecular Testing

A colorectal cancer biomarker panel combines KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, MSI/MMR, CEA, and expanded molecular tests to guide targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hereditary workup, and monitoring.

A colorectal cancer biomarker panel combines tumor and blood tests that answer different clinical questions: Which treatments are likely to work, could the cancer...

Des-Gamma-Carboxy Prothrombin (DCP) Test: Liver Cancer Marker, HCC Monitoring, and Meaning

DCP, also called PIVKA-II, is a liver cancer biomarker that can rise in HCC or vitamin K-related conditions. Learn cutoffs, false positives, monitoring uses, and next steps.

Des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is a blood biomarker used to assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer. DCP is also called protein...