The importance of genetic testing in lung cancer

The research of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapies has shown remarkable progress over the last few years. We now have FDA-approved therapies targeting ALK, BRAF, EGFR, ROS1, MET, RET, RAS genes and PD-L1 for non-small cell lung cancer patients. #lungcancer

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Nonetheless, less than 50% of metastatic NSCLC patients received molecular testing to check the mutation of all five genes, ALK BRAF, EGFR, ROS-1 and PDL-1 according to the study presented by Dr. Nicholas J. Roberts in 2021 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology. Although more than 90% of metastatic NSCLC patients received molecular testing to check the mutation of at least one gene, this study suggests that many patients may not be getting the best possible treatment for their lung cancer.

If you are diagnosed with non-small lung cancer, please discuss with your doctor about molecular testing to check the mutations in ALK, BRAF, EGFR, ROS-1, MET, RET, RAS and PD-L1. Better yet, ask your doctor about a more extensive tumor genomic profiling test called whole-exome sequencing (WES). This testing will not only inform your oncologist of all the mutations in your cancer cells to determine the best available treatments as well as the best-suited clinical trial(s) if the cancer progresses after completing currently approved treatments.