Biochemical Testing
Warnex Medical Laboratories offers a range of specialized and sophisticated biochemical analyses, complementing routine tests. We have extensive expertise in prenatal testing and offer the earliest and most effective Down syndrome screening test available.
Prenatest® Screening
The Prenatest® prenatal screening test is designed to inform the expecting mother of the risk that her foetus is affected by Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18 and other chromosomal abnormalities (ex. Trisomy 13). The Prenatest method combines a simple blood test with the ultrasound measurements of the foetus' nuchal translucency with or without nasal bone. It is the earliest and most effective Down syndrome screening test available in the first trimester.
For more information, visit www.prenatest.ca
Bioavailable Testosterone
The bioavailable testosterone test is a diagnostic test recommended for male patients in evaluating a condition known as andropause. Andropause is caused by a decrease in hormone with age, which plays a direct role in various physiological changes, including muscle strength, bone density and body composition. Warnex's test measures the amount of bioavailable testosterone, the biologically active form of testosterone, in human serum.
PCA3 Test for Prostate Cancer
Warnex's PCA3 test for the detection of prostate cancer is highly specific and more precise than all other available screening tests for prostate cancer. The PCA3 test is a molecular biology assay that measures the expression of PCA3 mRNA in urine samples. PCA3 is specific to the prostate and is significantly up-regulated (60-100 fold) in prostatic cancerous cells. The test quantitatively measures PCA3 mRNA as well as PSA mRNA and determines their ratio. High ratios have been shown to be indicative of prostate cancer. PCA3 screening may help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. In addition, the test is non-invasive, eliminating pain and discomfort associated with biopsies. Warnex is the first laboratory to offer this service in Canada.
Gleevec® Monitoring
Warnex performs bioanalytical testing as well as pharmacogenetic services for Novartis' Blood Level Monitoring Program for Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate), a medication approved for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and gastro-intestinal stromal tumours.
The Gleevec® Blood Level Monitoring Program provides practicing physicians with clinically relevant information to help monitor and optimize patient treatment. Physicians may monitor their patients for reasons of adherence concerns, suspicion of drug-drug interaction, a less than expected response to Gleevec® or side effects that are unusually severe for the dose taken.
Warnex tests Gleevec® blood levels to help identify non-adherence or suboptimal dosing. We use state-of-the-art high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), a highly specific and sensitive method to perform bioanalysis in blood samples.
In addition, we use pharmacogenetics to determine if the patients have specific chromosomal abnormalities in order to evaluate the effect of the medication based on genetic conditions. Warnex's diagnostic tests are performed using the highly sensitive and reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect genetic abnormalities during the course of a patient's treatment.
