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Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD
Posted: Friday, December 27, 2024
The use of comprehensive genome profiling and molecular tumor board evaluation to identify molecular alterations may improve the selection among treatment options for patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study published in JCO Precision Oncology. This diagnostic strategy would allow for efficacious, individualized treatment strategies in this patient population, explained Antonio Vitale, MD, of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, and colleagues.
A total of 283 patients with NSCLC were recruited for the study. All patients had stage IV disease that was confirmed by CT, MRI, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET scans reviewed by a thoracic oncology multidisciplinary tumor board. Tissue samples containing at least 20% tumor cell DNA or RNA were subjected to comprehensive genome profiling. All cases were discussed by the molecular tumor board to establish individualized molecular-matched therapies.
The study authors identified potential driver alterations in 59% of patients. Of these patients, 41% were treated with molecularly matched therapies. The molecular tumor board reviewed these patients and decided that 25% of them should be treated with standard molecularly matched therapy, and 16% were eligible for treatment with experimental drugs. Furthermore, there were variable progression-free survival and overall survival based on the treatment regimen. They included chemotherapy or immunotherapy (progression-free survival = 7.7 months, overall survival = 10.7 months), approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors (progression-free survival = 18.8 months, overall survival = 23.9 months), or molecularly targeted therapies (progression-free survival = 14 months, overall survival = 23.4 months).
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit www.ascopubs.org.
