Molecular testing in non-small cell lung cancer: A consensus recommendation

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in Singapore.
• An increasing proportion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnoses occur in non-smokers.
• Singaporean lung cancer patients exhibit a higher prevalence of targetable genomic alterations compared to Western populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish consensus recommendations for biomarker testing in early-stage to advanced NSCLC.
• To enhance patient care and long-term outcomes for NSCLC patients in Singapore.
• To address the importance of efficient molecular profiling in the context of precision medicine.

Main Methods:

• Development of consensus recommendations by a multidisciplinary group of lung cancer experts in Singapore.
• Consideration of biomarker testing for both tumor tissue and liquid biopsies.
• Inclusion of challenges in implementing biomarker testing and limitations of available data.

Main Results:

• Recommendations cover biomarker testing considerations for both advanced and early-stage NSCLC.
• The recommendations address practical implementation challenges.
• Both tumor tissue and liquid biopsy approaches are discussed.

Conclusions:

• Integration of molecular testing into clinical practice for NSCLC patients is essential.
• Practical recommendations are provided for biomarker testing in Singapore.
• The consensus aims to improve the management of NSCLC through effective molecular profiling.