Genomic Landscape of Advanced Solid Tumors in Middle East and North Africa Using Circulating Tumor DNA in Routine Clinical Practice

Shaheenah Dawood ¹, Nippun Sandhir ², Marwan Akasheh ³

⁰Department of Medical Oncology, Mediclinic City Hospital, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Oncology +

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September 29, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study analyzed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from advanced cancer patients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Findings reveal key genetic alterations, supporting ctDNA

Area Of Science

Oncology
Genomics
Molecular Diagnostics

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor DNA is crucial for identifying actionable drivers in advanced cancers.
Tissue genotyping is standard, but blood-based genotyping using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging alternative.
Limited genomic data exists for advanced solid cancers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Purpose Of The Study

To elucidate the genomic landscape of advanced solid cancers in patients from the MENA region.
To analyze results from NGS ctDNA testing in a large cohort from the MENA region.
To compare genomic profiles with existing Western and Eastern datasets.

Main Methods

Retrospective analysis of 926 plasma samples from 767 advanced cancer patients in the MENA region.
Comprehensive NGS assay (Guardant360®) was used for plasma profiling.
Pan-cancer analysis and sub-analyses for lung, breast, and colorectal cancers were performed.

Main Results

In the pan-cancer analysis, TP53 (58.5%), EGFR (20.4%), and KRAS (18.9%) were the most frequent mutations.
EGFR (10.2%), FGFR1 (4.9%), and PIK3CA (4.9%) showed the most amplifications; fusions were observed in 2.7% of patients.
Specific alterations were identified in lung adenocarcinoma (EGFR, KRAS, ERBB2), breast cancer (PIK3CA, ESR1, BRCA1/2), and colorectal cancer (KRAS, NRAS, BRAF), with regional similarities and variances noted compared to global data.

Conclusions

The study provides insights into the genomic profile of advanced solid tumors in the MENA region.
Findings support the utility of ctDNA testing in guiding therapeutic decisions for these patients.
Genomic data from the MENA region is essential for understanding cancer diversity and optimizing treatment strategies.

Keywords:

Cancer Circulating tumor DNA Genomic landscape Middle Eastern and North African region