Genomic Testing Expands With Evolving Lung Cancer Treatment Paradigm

Fred R. Hirsch, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and executive director for the Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai Health System, discusses how genomic testing has expanded over the last few years and has impacted the lung cancer treatment paradigm.

Different technologies are emerging for genomic testing in lung cancer, and there are an increasing number of targets that can be durable for lung cancer treatment, says Hirsch. Because so many targeted therapies are available that are directed toward genetic mutations, it is crucial that all patients with lung cancer be tested.

There are guidelines available for genomic testing. Hirsch has been involved in theIASLC/CAP/AMPguidelines, which recommend that all patients with adenocarcinoma, or in patients where an adenocarcinoma component cannot be excluded, be tested for molecular characteristics.

Patients with squamous or non—small cell lung cancer are routinely tested in clinical practice, but these patients tend to undergo testing in academic centers. Guidelines recommend that younger patients with squamous histology who are never smokers should also be tested as the treatment paradigm continues to emerge rapidly with many new targets.