Cost-Effectiveness of Parallel Versus Sequential Testing of Genetic Aberrations for Stage IV Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Netherlands

The Cost Effectiveness of Genomic Medicine in Cancer Control: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Genomic medicine offers an unprecedented opportunity to improve cancer outcomes through prevention, early detection and precision therapy. Health policy makers worldwide are developing strategies to embed genomic medicine in routine cancer care. Successful translation of genomic medicine, however, remains slow. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise published evidence on the cost effectiveness of genomic medicine in cancer control. The insights could support efforts to accelerate access to cost-effective applications of human genomics.

METHODS

The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024480842), and the review was conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. The search was run in four databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and EconLit. Full economic evaluations of genomic technologies at any stage of cancer care, and published after 2018 and in English, were included for data extraction.

RESULTS

The review identified 137 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Most economic evaluations focused on the prevention and early detection stage (n = 44; 32%), the treatment stage (n = 36; 26%), and managing relapsed, refractory or progressive disease (n = 51, 37%). Convergent cost-effectiveness evidence was identified for the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer, and for colorectal and endometrial cancers. For cancer treatment, the use of genomic testing for guiding therapy was highly likely to be cost effective for breast and blood cancers. Studies reported that genomic medicine was cost effective for advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. There was insufficient or mixed evidence regarding the cost effectiveness of genomic medicine in the management of other cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This review mapped out the cost-effectiveness evidence of genomic medicine across the cancer care continuum. Gaps in the literature mean that potentially cost-effective uses of genomic medicine in cancer control, for example rare cancers or cancers of unknown primary, may be being overlooked. Evidence on the value of information and budget impact are critical, and advancements in methods to include distributional effects, system capacity and consumer preferences will be valuable. Expanding the current cost-effectiveness evidence base is essential to enable the sustainable and equitable translation of genomic medicine.

Towards Recommendations for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Predictive, Prognostic, and Serial Biomarker Tests in Oncology

BACKGROUND

Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of biomarkers is challenging due to the indirect impact on health outcomes and the lack of sufficient fit-for-purpose data. Hands-on guidance is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed firstly to explore how CEAs in the context of three different types of biomarker applications have addressed these challenges, and secondly to develop recommendations for future CEAs.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed for three biomarker applications: predictive, prognostic, and serial testing, in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, early-stage colorectal cancer, and all-stage colorectal cancer, respectively. Information was extracted on the model assumptions and uncertainty, and the reported outcomes. An in-depth analysis of the literature was performed describing the impact of model assumptions in the included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 43 CEAs were included (31 predictive, 6 prognostic, and 6 serial testing). Of these, 40 utilized different sources for test and treatment parameters, and three studies utilized a single source. Test performance was included in 78% of these studies utilizing different sources, but this parameter was differently expressed across biomarker applications. Sensitivity analyses for test performance was only performed in half of these studies. For the linkage of test results to treatments outcomes, a minority of the studies explored the impact of suboptimal adherence to test results, and/or explored potential differences in treatment effects for different biomarker subgroups. Intermediate outcomes were reported by 67% of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified various approaches for dealing with challenges in CEAs of biomarker tests for three different biomarker applications. Recommendations on assumptions, handling uncertainty, and reported outcomes were drafted to enhance modeling practices for future biomarker cost-effectiveness evaluations.

Oncogenic gene fusions in cancer: from biology to therapy

Oncogenic gene fusions occur across a broad range of cancers and are a defining feature of some cancer types. Cancers driven by gene fusion products tend to respond well to targeted therapies, where available; thus, detection of potentially targetable oncogenic fusions is necessary to select optimal treatment. Detection methods include non-sequencing methods, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and sequencing methods, such as DNA- and RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS). While NGS is an efficient way to analyze multiple genes of interest at once, economic and technical factors may preclude its use in routine care globally, despite several guideline recommendations. The aim of this review is to present a summary of oncogenic gene fusions, with a focus on fusions that affect tyrosine kinase signaling, and to highlight the importance of testing for oncogenic fusions. We present an overview of the identification of oncogenic gene fusions and therapies approved for the treatment of cancers harboring gene fusions, and summarize data regarding treating fusion-positive cancers with no current targeted therapies and clinical studies of fusion-positive cancers. Although treatment options may be limited for patients with rare alterations, healthcare professionals should identify patients most likely to benefit from oncogenic gene fusion testing and initiate the appropriate targeted therapy to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.

Cost Effectiveness of Exclusionary EGFR Testing for Taiwanese Patients Newly Diagnosed with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Approximately half of lung adenocarcinomas in East Asia harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. EGFR testing followed by tissue-based next-generation sequencing (NGS), upfront tissue-based NGS, and complementary NGS approaches have emerged on the front line to guide personalized therapy. We study the cost effectiveness of exclusionary EGFR testing for Taiwanese patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

This economic evaluation was conducted from the perspective of the healthcare sector with a lifetime horizon. Simulated patients were entered into a joint model combining decision trees and partitioned survival models upon diagnosis of advanced lung adenocarcinoma. We compared exclusionary EGFR testing with upfront tissue-based NGS and complementary NGS approaches. The model inputs were derived from regional estimates (prevalence of targetable gene alterations), trials (testing accuracy, survival outcomes, and adverse events), ACT Genomics (testing costs), National Health Insurance payments, retail prices (drug costs), and hospital cohorts (utility values). All costs were made equivalent to 2023 US dollars. An annual discount rate of 3% was applied. We adopted a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$70,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. One-way deterministic and probabilistic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of exclusionary EGFR testing versus upfront tissue-based NGS was US$15,521 per quality-adjusted life-year, whereas the incremental net monetary benefit was US$2530. The costs of osimertinib and pembrolizumab were the major determinants. The incremental net monetary benefit of exclusionary EGFR testing versus complementary NGS approach was US$2174, and its major determinants included the true-negative rate of EGFR testing and the prevalence rate of an EGFR mutation. Given the willingness-to-pay thresholds of US$35,000, US$70,000, and US$105,000 (1, 2, and 3 per capita gross domestic product) per quality-adjusted life-year, the probabilities that exclusionary EGFR testing would be cost effective were 79.1%, 95.6%, and 91.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis suggests that exclusionary EGFR testing is a cost-effective strategy for Taiwanese patients newly diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Costs of biomarker testing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a global study comparing next-generation sequencing and single-gene testing

Current European/US guidelines recommend that molecular testing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) be performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, the global uptake of NGS is limited, largely owing to reimbursement constraints. We compared real-world costs of NGS and single-gene testing (SGT) in nonsquamous aNSCLC. This observational study was conducted across 10 pathology centers in 10 different countries worldwide. Biomarker data collected via structured questionnaires (1 January-31 December 2021) were used to feed micro-costing analyses for three scenarios ['Starting Point' (SP; 2021-2022), 'Current Practice' (CP; 2023-2024), and 'Future Horizons' (FH; 2025-2028)] in both a real-world model, comprising all biomarkers tested by each center, and a standardized model, comprising the same sets of biomarkers across centers. Testing costs (including retesting) encompassed personnel costs, consumables, equipment, and overheads. Overall, 4,491 patients with aNSCLC were evaluated. Mean per-patient costs decreased for NGS relative to SGT over time, with real-world model costs 18% lower for NGS than for SGT in the SP scenario, and 26% lower for NGS than for SGT in the CP scenario. Mean per-biomarker costs also decreased over time for NGS relative to SGT. In the standardized model, the tipping point for the minimum number of biomarkers required for NGS to result in cost savings (per patient) was 10 and 12 in the SP and CP scenarios, respectively. Retesting had a negligible impact on cost analyses, and results were robust to variation in cost parameters. This study provides robust real-world global evidence for cost savings with NGS-based panels over SGT to evaluate predictive biomarkers in nonsquamous aNSCLC when the number of biomarkers to be tested exceeds 10. Widespread adoption of NGS may enable more efficient use of limited healthcare resources.

Cost-effectiveness models of non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a formidable global health challenge owing to significant morbidity, high mortality rates, and substantial economic burden. Recent advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have transformed NSCLC treatment, but efficacy varies across patients. Tailoring treatment to patients can improve outcomes and potentially improve cost-effectiveness (ie, value for money) as well. For NSCLC, cost-effectiveness must often be estimated using economic modeling, and estimates are only as good as the models. Existing cost-effectiveness models are not necessarily suitable for evaluating personalized medicines.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and assess cost-effectiveness models of NSCLC.

METHODS

We searched for studies indexed in PubMed and Embase from 2012 to October 2023 that described cost-effectiveness models of NSCLC. Study details were extracted, summarized, and evaluated for adherence to the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards.

RESULTS

We identified 237 unique models, 40% of which were published in 2022 or 2023. Despite cross-model heterogeneity, most models used the same 3 health states (progression-free survival, progressive disease, and death) combined with time-to-event equations that characterize risks. Thirty models included a diagnostic component, most of which considered guiding treatment selection using biomarkers. Adherence to the overall Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards checklist was generally incomplete, and adherence to a subset of model-related questions even more so.

CONCLUSIONS

The large number of models that were found, almost half of which were published since 2022, underscores the importance of cost-effectiveness analysis in NSCLC. Variable adherence to best practices suggests opportunities for improvement, however, and making high-quality, open-source models available to researchers may be valuable.

Next step of molecular pathology: next-generation sequencing in cytology

The evolving landscape of precision oncology underscores the pivotal shift from morphological diagnosis to treatment decisions driven by molecular profiling. Recent guidelines from the European Society for Medical Oncology recomend the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) across a broader range of cancers, reflecting its superior efficiency and clinical value. NGS not only updates oncology testing by offering quicker, sample-friendly, and sensitive analysis but also reduces the need for multiple individual tests. Cytology samples, often obtained through less invasive methods, can yield high-quality genetic material suitable for molecular analysis. This article focuses on optimizing the use of cytology samples in NGS, and outlines their potential benefits in identifying actionable molecular alterations for targeted therapies across various solid tumors. It also addresses the need for validation studies and the strategies to incorporate or combine different types of samples into routine clinical practice. Integrating cytological and liquid biopsies into routine clinical practice, alongside conventional tissue biopsies, offers a comprehensive approach to tumor genotyping, early disease detection, and monitoring of therapeutic responses across various solid tumor types. For comprehensive biomarker characterization, all patient specimens, although limited, is always valuable.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of the Oncomine™ Dx Target Test MultiCDx System Using Next-generation Sequencing and Single-gene Test in Advanced and Recurrent Nonsquamous Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Introduction

To determine the appropriate treatment for patients with advanced/recurrent nonsquamous non‒small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a companion diagnostic was conducted to detect driver mutations through genetic testing. In Japan, Oncomine Dx Target Test (DxTT) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) that can comprehensively detect gene mutations or single-gene tests are conducted as companion diagnostics. Furthermore, cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of Oncomine DxTT using NGS with that of single-gene test in Japan.

Methods

The target population included patients with advanced/recurrent nonsquamous NSCLC. A model structure was constructed for the Oncomine DxTT strategy and three single-gene tests (i.e., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)/c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) rearrangements) with reference to previous studies and the Clinical Practice Guidelines of Lung Cancer 2022 in Japan. The model structure assumed that genetic testing would be conducted and first-line treatment used the drug most recommended in the 2022 Japanese Lung Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines, depending on the driver mutation,. Model inputs were obtained from the literature and price list in Japan, and cost-utility analysis was conducted.

Results

For the Oncomine DxTT strategy, the expected incremental costs and effectiveness were estimated to be approximately JPY 172,361 (JPY 12,285,228 vs. JPY 12,112,867 for strategies A and B, respectively) and -0.51 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) per patient (21.93 QALY vs. 22.44 QALY for strategies A and B). As a result, the costs increased but the effectiveness decreased. Therefore, the Oncomine DxTT strategy was dominated by the three single-gene tests. Sensitivity and scenario analyses revealed that the test success rate of Oncomine DxTT affected the results.

Conclusions

The genetic test using Oncomine DxTT before the first-line treatment is not cost-effective compared with the three single-gene tests (EGFR/ALK/ROS1) for patients with advanced/recurrent nonsquamous NSCLC.

The cost-effectiveness of including liquid biopsy into molecular profiling strategies for newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in an Asian population

OBJECTIVES

Liquid biopsy is complementary to tissue biopsy for lung cancer profiling, yet evidence of the cost-effectiveness is limited. This could retard implementation and reimbursement in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to estimate the cost-effectiveness of profiling strategies that include liquid biopsy and to identify the optimal profiling approach for newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in an Asian population using Singapore as an example.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A decision tree and partitioned-survival model was developed from the Singapore healthcare system's perspective to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of five molecular profiling strategies: either tissue or plasma next-generation sequencing (NGS) alone, a concurrent, and two sequential approaches. Model inputs were informed by local data or published literature. Sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were undertaken to understand the robustness of the conclusions for decision making. The optimal strategy at different willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds was presented by cost-effectiveness acceptability frontier and the expected loss curve.

RESULTS

The sequential tissue-plasma NGS approach revealed an additional 0.0981 quality adjusted life years (QALYs) for an extra cost of S$3,074 over a 20-year time horizon compared to tissue NGS alone, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of S$31,318/QALY and an incremental net monetary benefit of S$1,343 per patient. The findings were sensitive to the costs of pembrolizumab and osimertinib and the probabilities of re-biopsy after tissue NGS. Sequential plasma-tissue NGS and plasma NGS alone were more costly and less effective than alternatives.

CONCLUSION

The sequential tissue-plasma NGS approach generated the highest net monetary benefit and was the optimal testing strategy when WTP was S$45,000/QALY. It retained superiority but understandably with a higher ICER when expensive, non-first line treatments were included. Overall, its routine clinical practice should be proactively considered for newly diagnosed advanced non-squamous NSCLC in an Asian population.

Interpreting and integrating genomic tests results in clinical cancer care: Overview and practical guidance

The last decade has seen rapid progress in the use of genomic tests, including gene panels, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing, in research and clinical cancer care. These advances have created expansive opportunities to characterize the molecular attributes of cancer, revealing a subset of cancer-associated aberrations called driver mutations. The identification of these driver mutations can unearth vulnerabilities of cancer cells to targeted therapeutics, which has led to the development and approval of novel diagnostics and personalized interventions in various malignancies. The applications of this modern approach, often referred to as precision oncology or precision cancer medicine, are already becoming a staple in cancer care and will expand exponentially over the coming years. Although genomic tests can lead to better outcomes by informing cancer risk, prognosis, and therapeutic selection, they remain underutilized in routine cancer care. A contributing factor is a lack of understanding of their clinical utility and the difficulty of results interpretation by the broad oncology community. Practical guidelines on how to interpret and integrate genomic information in the clinical setting, addressed to clinicians without expertise in cancer genomics, are currently limited. Building upon the genomic foundations of cancer and the concept of precision oncology, the authors have developed practical guidance to aid the interpretation of genomic test results that help inform clinical decision making for patients with cancer. They also discuss the challenges that prevent the wider implementation of precision oncology.

Exploring the Cost Effectiveness of a Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Biomarker for Treatment Selection in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Ineligible for Targeted Therapy

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to perform an early cost-effectiveness analysis of using a whole-genome sequencing-based tumor mutation burden (WGS-TMB), instead of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), for immunotherapy treatment selection in patients with non-squamous advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer ineligible for targeted therapy, from a Dutch healthcare perspective.

METHODS

A decision-model simulating individual patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer was used to evaluate diagnostic strategies to select first-line immunotherapy only or the immunotherapy plus chemotherapy combination. Treatment was selected using PD-L1 [A, current practice], WGS-TMB [B], and both PD-L1 and WGS-TMB [C]. Strategies D, E, and F take into account a patient's disease burden, in addition to PD-L1, WGS-TMB, and both PD-L1 and WGS-TMB, respectively. Disease burden was defined as a fast-growing tumor, a high number of metastases, and/or weight loss. A threshold of 10 mutations per mega-base was used to classify patients into TMB-high and TMB-low groups. Outcomes were discounted quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and healthcare costs measured from the start of first-line treatment to death. Healthcare costs includes drug acquisition, follow-up costs, and molecular diagnostic tests (i.e., standard diagnostic techniques and/or WGS for strategies involving TMB). Results were reported using the net monetary benefit at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €80,000/QALY. Additional scenario and threshold analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Strategy B had the lowest QALYs (1.84) and lowest healthcare costs (€120,800). The highest QALYs and healthcare costs were 2.00 and €140,400 in strategy F. In the base-case analysis, strategy A was cost effective with the highest net monetary benefit (€27,300), followed by strategy B (€26,700). Strategy B was cost effective when the cost of WGS testing was decreased by at least 24% or when immunotherapy results in an additional 0.5 year of life gained or more for TMB high compared with TMB low. Strategies C and F, which combined TMB and PD-L1 had the highest net monetary benefit (≥ €76,900) when the cost of WGS testing, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy acquisition were simultaneously reduced by at least 47%, 39%, and 43%, respectively. Furthermore, strategy C resulted in the highest net monetary benefit (≥ €39,900) in a scenario where patients with both PD-L1 low and TMB low were treated with chemotherapy instead of immunotherapy plus chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of WGS-TMB is not cost effective compared to PD-L1 for immunotherapy treatment selection in non-squamous metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the Netherlands. WGS-TMB could become cost effective provided there is a reduction in the cost of WGS testing or there is an increase in the predictive value of WGS-TMB for immunotherapy effectiveness. Alternatively, a combination strategy of PD-L1 testing with WGS-TMB would be cost effective if used to support the choice to withhold immunotherapy in patients with a low expected benefit of immunotherapy.

Evaluation of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) Samples from Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for Whole Genome, Whole Exome and Comprehensive Panel Sequencing

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is often the only source of tumor tissue from patients with advanced, inoperable lung cancer. EBUS-TBNA aspirates are used for the diagnosis, staging, and genomic testing to inform therapy options. Here we extracted DNA and RNA from 220 EBUS-TBNA aspirates to evaluate their suitability for whole genome (WGS), whole exome (WES), and comprehensive panel sequencing. For a subset of 40 cases, the same nucleic acid extraction was sequenced using WGS, WES, and the TruSight Oncology 500 assay. Genomic features were compared between sequencing platforms and compared with those reported by clinical testing. A total of 204 aspirates (92.7%) had sufficient DNA (100 ng) for comprehensive panel sequencing, and 109 aspirates (49.5%) had sufficient material for WGS. Comprehensive sequencing platforms detected all seven clinically reported tier 1 actionable mutations, an additional three (7%) tier 1 mutations, six (15%) tier 2-3 mutations, and biomarkers of potential immunotherapy benefit (tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability). As expected, WGS was more suited for the detection and discovery of emerging novel biomarkers of treatment response. WGS could be performed in half of all EBUS-TBNA aspirates, which points to the enormous potential of EBUS-TBNA as source material for large, well-curated discovery-based studies for novel and more effective predictors of treatment response. Comprehensive panel sequencing is possible in the vast majority of fresh EBUS-TBNA aspirates and enhances the detection of actionable mutations over current clinical testing.

A study to identify novel biomarkers associated with multiple myeloma

Background. multiple myeloma (mm) is a plasma cell cancer that affects white blood cells. plasma cells from the bone marrow grow abnormally, as a consequence of which patients have high amounts of monoclonal immunoglobulin in their blood and urine, poor renal function, and recurring infections due to this condition. osteolytic bone lesions and immunodeficiency also impact multiple myeloma patients’ longevity and quality of life. The disease accounts for 13 % of all hematological malignancies worldwide, making it the second most common blood cancer.

Material and Methods. The studies investigating mm biomarkers from 2000 to 2021 are collected from various databases. “multiple myeloma”, “biomarkers”, “genetic markers”, “prognostic markers”, “epidemiology of multiple myeloma”, and “risk factors for multiple myeloma” are the key phrases utilized to gather the articles.

Results. The scientific and medical research progressed into mm, and the number of cases increased over time and continues to rise, prompting researchers and clinicians to discover new consequences of the disease and new markers for prognosis, diagnosis, detection, and treatment of cancer in the earliest stages. Prognostic and predictive signs for illness recurrence and response to medication may be detected adequately by innovative potential biomarkers, which are more accurate than current approaches.

Conclusion. treatment for multiple myeloma includes a variety of chemotherapeutic medicines, including immune modulators and proteasome inhibitors; however, most patients still experience recurrence after completing treatment. There have been numerous novel techniques for managing multiple myeloma, and this review summarises the most commonly used and the new ones that have appeared in the previously published articles.

A rapid, multiplex digital PCR assay to detect gene variants and fusions in non-small cell lung cancer

Digital PCR (dPCR) is emerging as an ideal platform for the detection and tracking of genomic variants in cancer due to its high sensitivity and simple workflow. The growing number of clinically actionable cancer biomarkers creates a need for fast, accessible methods that allow for dense information content and high accuracy. Here, we describe a proof-of-concept amplitude modulation-based multiplex dPCR assay capable of detecting 12 single-nucleotide and insertion/deletion (indel) variants in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and ERBB2, 14 gene fusions in ALK, RET, ROS1, and NTRK1, and MET exon 14 skipping present in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We also demonstrate the use of multi-spectral target-signal encoding to improve the specificity of variant detection by reducing background noise by up to an order of magnitude. The assay reported an overall 100% positive percent agreement (PPA) and 98.5% negative percent agreement (NPA) compared with a sequencing-based assay in a cohort of 62 human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. In addition, the dPCR assay rescued actionable information in 10 samples that failed to sequence, highlighting the utility of a multiplexed dPCR assay as a potential reflex solution for challenging NSCLC samples.

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

Introduction

Lung cancer remains an important cause of cancer-related mortality in Singapore, with a greater proportion of non-smokers diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the past 2 decades. The higher prevalence of targetable genomic alterations in lung cancer diagnosed in Singapore compared with countries in the West, as well as the expanding therapeutic landscape for NSCLC in the era of precision medicine, are both factors that underscore the importance of efficient and effective molecular profiling.

Method

This article provides consensus recommendations for biomarker testing for early-stage to advanced NSCLC. These recommendations are made from a multidisciplinary group of lung cancer experts in Singapore with the aim of improving patient care and long-term outcomes.

Results

The recommendations address the considerations in both the advanced and early-stage settings, and take into account challenges in the implementation of biomarker testing as well as the limitations of available data. Biomarker testing for both tumour tissue and liquid biopsy are discussed.

Conclusion

This consensus statement discusses the approaches and challenges of integrating molecular testing into clinical practice for patients with early- to late-stage NSCLC, and provides practical recommendations for biomarker testing for NSCLC patients in Singapore.

Non-small-cell lung cancer: how to manage BRAF-mutated disease

BRAF mutations are reported in about 3-5% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), almost exclusively in adenocarcinoma histology, and are classified into three different classes. The segmentation of BRAF mutations into V600 (class 1) and non-V600 (classes 2 and 3) relies on their biological characteristics and is of interest for predicting the therapeutic benefit of targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Given the relative rarity of this molecular subset of disease, evidence supporting treatment choices is limited. This review aims to offer a comprehensive update about available therapeutic options for patients with NSCLC harbouring BRAF mutations to guide the physician in the choice of treatment strategies. We collected the most relevant available data, from single-arm phase II studies and retrospective analyses conducted in advanced NSCLC, regarding the efficacy of BRAF and MEK inhibitors in both V600 and non-V600 BRAF mutations. We included case reports and smaller experiences that could provide information on specific alterations. With respect to immunotherapy, we reviewed retrospective evidence on immune-checkpoint inhibitors in this molecular subset, whereas data about chemo-immunotherapy in this molecular subgroup are lacking. Moreover, we included the available, though limited, retrospective evidence of immunotherapy as consolidation after chemo-radiation for unresectable stage III BRAF-mutant NSCLC, and an overview of ongoing clinical trials in the peri-operative setting that could open new perspectives in the future.

Biomarkers in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Status Quo and Future Perspective

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer worldwide, and its incidence is steadily increasing. During the last two decades, a tremendous improvement in outcome has been achieved, mainly due to the introduction of novel drugs, targeted treatment, immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) and biomarker-driven patient selection. Moreover, progress in molecular diagnostics but also improvement in surgical techniques and local ablative treatments significantly contributed to this success. However, novel therapeutic approaches are needed to further improve outcome in patients diagnosed with metastatic CRC. Besides the established biomarkers for mCRC, such as microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), RAS/BRAF, sidedness and HER2 amplification, new biomarkers have to be identified to better select patients who derive the most benefit from a specific treatment. In this review, we provide an overview about therapeutic relevant and established biomarkers but also shed light on potential promising markers that may help us to better tailor therapy to the individual mCRC patient in the near future.