RNA sequencing, often referred to as RNA-seq, is a powerful tool used by scientists and doctors to study how genes are expressed in your body. It gives us a snapshot of which genes are 'turned on' or 'off' in your cells at a given time. For cancer patients, like those diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), RNA-seq can provide valuable information about how cancer is behaving at the molecular level, which can help guide personalized treatments.
Why is RNA-seq Important for You?
RNA-seq can reveal important clues about how your cancer might respond to different treatments. It helps doctors understand which genes are driving the growth of your cancer and which treatments might be most effective for you. With this information, oncologists can develop a treatment plan that’s more tailored to your unique cancer profile.
How is RNA-seq Different from Genomic DNA Sequencing?
While genomic DNA sequencing examines your complete set of genetic material—your DNA, which remains mostly constant throughout your life—RNA sequencing offers a dynamic view of gene expression. RNA-seq shows which genes are actively being expressed at any given moment, reflecting how your cells respond to both internal signals (such as genetic mutations at your DNA level) and external factors (such as environmental influences or treatments). This makes RNA-seq a comprehensive tool for understanding how your body responds to disease and therapy in real time. Additionally, RNA-seq is often more cost-effective compared to genomic DNA sequencing, making it a practical choice for gaining insights into gene activity.
How Can You Acquire an RNA-seq Dataset?
To acquire an RNA-seq dataset, you'll need a sample of your tumor tissue, which can be obtained through a biopsy. Here's how you can work with your surgeon to make this happen:
1. Discuss with Your Surgeon:
If you’re scheduled for a biopsy or surgery, it’s important to talk to your surgeon about your interest in obtaining an RNA-seq dataset. Surgeons typically collect tumor tissue during these procedures, and that tissue can be preserved for RNA sequencing.
2. Ensure Proper Handling of the Sample:
After the biopsy, your surgeon or medical team will need to properly store and prepare the tissue sample for RNA sequencing. This is a critical step, as RNA is fragile and requires special handling to ensure the quality of the sequencing data.
3. Coordinate with a Genetic Testing Lab:
Once the tissue sample is collected, you’ll need to coordinate with a genetic testing lab that performs RNA-seq. Your doctor or oncologist may recommend a lab, or you can ask them to send the sample to a lab of your choosing that specializes in RNA sequencing for cancer patients.
4. Obtain and Review Your RNA-seq Results:
After the lab processes the sample, they will provide your RNA-seq results in the form of a dataset. This dataset can then be shared with your oncologist or a bioinformatics expert to interpret the findings.
How Can Gap-App Help?
Once you’ve acquired your RNA-seq dataset, you can upload it to Gap-App to further personalize your survival predictions based on the gene expression profile of your cancer. Our platform is designed to integrate the molecular data from RNA-seq with clinical information to offer personalized prognosis that can support better treatment decisions.
How to Take Actions?
If you’re considering RNA sequencing as part of your personalized treatment plan, we encourage you to discuss it with your surgeon and oncologist before any biopsy or surgery. Working together, you can take proactive steps to gather the most accurate data possible, which may help guide your cancer treatment more effectively.
Example RNA-Seq dataset for Gap-App
Please click
here to download an example gene expression dataset that can be uploaded to the Gap-App application for survival prediction.