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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Changing the Therapeutic Landscape in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers: the Evolution of Comprehensive Molecular Profiling
Joshua K Sabari1, Fernando Santini1, Isabella Bergagnini1
1Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
Abstract:
Targeting genomic alterations has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with lung cancer. In an effort to better identify potentially actionable alterations that may predict response to FDA-approved and or investigational therapies, many centers have migrated towards performing targeted exome sequencing in patients with stage IV disease. The implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in the evaluation of tumor tissue from patients with NSCLC has led to the discovery of targetable alterations in tumors that previously had no known actionable targets by less comprehensive profiling. An improved understanding of the molecular pathways that drive oncogenesis in NSCLC and a revolution in the technological advances in NGS have led to the development of new therapies through biomarker-driven clinical trials. This review will focus on the advances in molecular profiling that continue to fuel the revolution of precision medicine, identifying targets such as MET exon 14 skipping alterations and select recurrent gene alterations with increasing frequency.
Insights
Precision medicine revolutionizes lung cancer treatment by targeting genomic alterations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identifies actionable targets, driving development of new therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Genomic alterations drive lung cancer, necessitating advanced profiling for targeted therapies.
- Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment has shifted towards precision medicine.
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers comprehensive tumor profiling, uncovering previously unknown actionable targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in molecular profiling for lung cancer.
- To highlight the role of NGS in identifying predictive biomarkers for targeted therapies.
- To discuss emerging targets like MET exon 14 skipping alterations.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on molecular profiling in NSCLC.
- Analysis of the impact of NGS on identifying actionable genomic alterations.
- Focus on biomarker-driven clinical trials and precision medicine.
Main Results:
- NGS has significantly improved the identification of targetable genomic alterations in NSCLC.
- Molecular profiling fuels the development of novel, biomarker-guided therapies.
- Specific alterations, including MET exon 14 skipping, are increasingly identified.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies based on genomic profiling represent a paradigm shift in lung cancer treatment.
- Advances in NGS technology are crucial for precision medicine in NSCLC.
- Continued research in molecular profiling will uncover more actionable targets and improve patient outcomes.
