Genetic Profiling of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Moroccan Patients by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
• Genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing (NGS) is crucial for personalized treatment strategies in NSCLC.
• Understanding the genomic landscape of NSCLC in diverse populations is essential for advancing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and compare genomic alterations in NSCLC between Moroccan patients and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort.
• To investigate the distribution and frequency of concurrent genomic alterations in NSCLC.
• To evaluate the clinical utility of NGS for detecting actionable mutations in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 76 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) NSCLC samples.
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) using the Oncomine™ Precision Assay on the Ion Torrent™ Genexus™ Integrated Sequencer.
• Profiling of 50 key genes relevant for targeted therapy selection.

Main Results:

• 70 out of 76 samples (92.1%) harbored at least one genetic alteration.
• Actionable mutations in EGFR, KRAS, MET, BRAF, ALK, RET, and ROS1 were found in 84.3% of tumors.
• EGFR (24.3%) and KRAS (22.9%) mutations were most frequent; significant differences observed compared to TCGA cohort for EGFR, KRAS, and TP53.
• Co-alterations were present in 67.1% of specimens, with 44.3% having co-occurring driver gene mutations.

Conclusions:

• NGS testing is valuable for identifying actionable mutations in NSCLC patients within a clinical diagnostic setting.
• The study reveals distinct genomic profiles in Moroccan NSCLC patients compared to TCGA data.
• Understanding co-alterations is critical for comprehensive NSCLC treatment planning.