Exploring Comprehensive Biomarker Testing in Patients With NSCLC

By: Joshua D. Madera, MD
Posted: Wednesday, October 16, 2024

According to a presentation given at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium (Abstract 84), efforts should be dedicated to establishing a scalable best-practice guide for comprehensive biomarker testing in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additional analyses focused on identifying predictive factors that may be beneficial for creating novel interventions in this patient population, explained Muzammil Dastagir, MD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues.

From 2020 to 2024, a total of 35 patients with NSCLC were recruited for the study. The study was segmented into two components. The first part involved retrospective data collection focused on identifying predictive factors and barriers that impact biomarker testing. The second part focused on incorporating these findings to establish targeted interventions aimed at improving the rates of biomarker testing across academic and community settings.

Analysis of demographic data revealed that 80.8% of patients were White, and 53.8% were male. In addition, 74.3% of patients were treated at academic cancer centers. Further, 85.7% of patients were not receiving assistance with commercial insurance plans; instead, they received Viva Medicare and BCBS/Medicare B. Furthermore, stage IV NSCLC was diagnosed in 82.9% of patients.

At the time of diagnosis, liquid next-generation sequencing and tissue next-generation sequencing were performed in 91.4% and 68.6% of patients, respectively. Moreover, 82.9% of patients were treated with combination therapy after biomarker testing was completed. Oncologists in nonacademic settings were more likely to initiate treatment when biomarker testing was pending or incomplete (55.6%) compared with oncologists in academic settings (26.9%). 

Disclosure: Dr. Dastagir reported no conflicts of interest. For full disclosures of the other study authors, visit coi.asco.org.

2024 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

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