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Comprehensive molecular profiling identifies actionable biomarkers for patients from Thailand and the United Arab
Shaheenah Dawood1,2, Vasanti Natarajan3, Pongwut Danchaivijitr4
1Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Background:
Comprehensive molecular profiling of tissue samples that can help guide therapy management is not widely available across the globe.
Methods:
Comprehensive molecular profiling through Caris Molecular Intelligence involves the analysis of DNA through next-generation sequencing, chromogenic or fluorescent in situ hybridization, pyrosequencing, and copy number alterations; RNA through whole-transcriptome sequencing and multiplex PCR of RNA; and protein through immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Here we describe the experience of molecular profiling of tumor tissue samples from patients diagnosed with advanced solid tumors and treated in two countries, the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Tumor cancer cases submitted to Caris Life Sciences (Phoenix, Arizona, USA) for molecular profiling from the UAE and Thailand were retrospectively analyzed (data accessed between 2019 and 2020) for their molecular alterations and clinical biomarkers, without regard to ethnicity. A total of 451 samples from 35 distinct types of advanced cancers were examined for mutations, amplifications, overexpression, exon copy number alterations, microsatellite instability, deficient mismatch repair, tumor mutational burden, and fusions. Interrogating each step of the biological pathway, from DNA to RNA to distinct protein, identified an alteration with an associated therapy for 75% of these tumor samples. The most common alterations identified included elevated PDL-1 that can be targeted with an immune checkpoint inhibitors and amplification of HER2 for which a variety of anti HER2 therapies are available.
Conclusion:
Comprehensive molecular profiling in patients with advanced malignancies can help optimize therapeutic management allowing for improved prognostic outcome.
Insights
Comprehensive molecular profiling of advanced solid tumors identified actionable alterations in 75% of cases. This approach, analyzing DNA, RNA, and protein, aids in guiding personalized therapy and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Comprehensive molecular profiling is crucial for guiding cancer therapy but lacks global accessibility.
- Advanced solid tumors require precise therapeutic strategies informed by molecular data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of comprehensive molecular profiling in patients with advanced solid tumors in the UAE and Thailand.
- To identify common molecular alterations and associated therapeutic targets in a diverse patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 451 tumor tissue samples from advanced cancer patients in the UAE and Thailand.
- Utilized Caris Molecular Intelligence, analyzing DNA (NGS, FISH, pyrosequencing), RNA (whole-transcriptome sequencing, multiplex PCR), and protein (immunohistochemistry).
- Examined for mutations, amplifications, overexpression, copy number alterations, microsatellite instability, deficient mismatch repair, tumor mutational burden, and fusions.
Main Results:
- Actionable molecular alterations with associated therapies were identified in 75% of the analyzed tumor samples.
- Common findings included elevated PD-L1 (targetable with immune checkpoint inhibitors) and HER2 amplification (targetable with anti-HER2 therapies).
- Analysis covered 35 distinct advanced cancer types, revealing diverse molecular landscapes.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive molecular profiling of advanced malignancies can optimize therapeutic management.
- This approach facilitates personalized treatment strategies, potentially leading to improved prognostic outcomes for cancer patients.
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