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Published on: September 8, 2023
Next-generation sequencing in salivary gland carcinoma: Targetable alterations lead to a therapeutic
Assaf Moore1,2, Yael Bar2,3, Corinne Maurice-Dror4,5
1Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Center, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Background:
Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are rare. The approach to metastatic patients is histology-dependent. There is little evidence on whether next-generation sequencing (NGS) findings translate to tumor control in SGCs.
Methods:
We analyzed all patients with histologically confirmed SGC who underwent NGS.
Results:
Twenty-seven patients were identified, 14 (51.8%) had targetable findings in NGS: 5 ERBB2 amplifications, 3 PIK3CA mutations, 2 RUNX1 mutations, 1 TRIM33-RET fusion, 1 FGFR3-TACC3 fusion, 1 microsatellite instability-high, and 2 high mutational burden. Ten patients were treated accordingly. Median progression-free survival for targeted treatment was 8.4 months. Of five patients who achieved durable responses of 8.4 to 31.3 months, two are ongoing. The overall median survival was not reached for patients receiving targeted treatment and was 40.4 months for patients treated conventionally (P = .18).
Conclusions:
In the absence of a well-established therapeutic approach, NGS may detect clinically significant genetic alterations and benefit patients with advanced SGC.
Insights
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified targetable genetic alterations in over half of salivary gland cancer (SGC) patients. Targeted therapy showed promising durable responses, suggesting NGS benefits advanced SGC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are rare malignancies.
- Treatment for metastatic SGCs is histology-dependent.
- Limited evidence exists on the clinical utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in SGC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of NGS findings in patients with SGC.
- To evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapies based on NGS results in SGC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patients with histologically confirmed SGC who underwent NGS.
- Identification of targetable genetic alterations.
- Assessment of treatment outcomes, including progression-free survival and overall survival.
Main Results:
- Twenty-seven SGC patients were analyzed; 14 (51.8%) had targetable findings.
- Targeted treatment resulted in a median progression-free survival of 8.4 months.
- Five patients achieved durable responses (8.4 to 31.3 months) with targeted therapy.
Conclusions:
- NGS can identify clinically significant genetic alterations in advanced SGC.
- Targeted therapies guided by NGS may benefit patients with SGC.
- Further research is warranted to establish a therapeutic approach for SGC based on molecular profiling.
