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. 2014 Jun;19(6):616-22.
doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2014-0011. Epub 2014 May 5.

Enabling a genetically informed approach to cancer medicine: a retrospective evaluation of the impact of comprehensive tumor profiling using a targeted next-generation sequencing panel

Douglas B Johnson  1 , Kimberly H Dahlman  1 , Jared Knol  1 , Jill Gilbert  1 , Igor Puzanov  1 , Julie Means-Powell  1 , Justin M Balko  1 , Christine M Lovly  1 , Barbara A Murphy  1 , Laura W Goff  1 , Vandana G Abramson  1 , Marta A Crispens  1 , Ingrid A Mayer  1 , Jordan D Berlin  1 , Leora Horn  1 , Vicki L Keedy  1 , Nishitha M Reddy  1 , Carlos L Arteaga  1 , Jeffrey A Sosman  1 , William Pao  2
Affiliations

Enabling a genetically informed approach to cancer medicine: a retrospective evaluation of the impact of comprehensive tumor profiling using a targeted next-generation sequencing panel

Douglas B Johnson et al. Oncologist. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Oncogenic genetic alterations "drive" neoplastic cell proliferation. Small molecule inhibitors and antibodies are being developed that target an increasing number of these altered gene products. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a powerful tool to identify tumor-specific genetic changes. To determine the clinical impact of extensive genetic analysis, we reviewed our experience using a targeted NGS platform (FoundationOne) in advanced cancer patients.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively assessed demographics, NGS results, and therapies received for patients undergoing targeted NGS (exonic sequencing of 236 genes and selective intronic sequencing from 19 genes) between April 2012 and August 2013. Coprimary endpoints were the percentage of patients with targeted therapy options uncovered by mutational profiling and the percentage who received genotype-directed therapy.

Results: Samples from 103 patients were tested, most frequently breast carcinoma (26%), head and neck cancers (23%), and melanoma (10%). Most patients (83%) were found to harbor potentially actionable genetic alterations, involving cell-cycle regulation (44%), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT (31%), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (19%) pathways. With median follow-up of 4.1 months, 21% received genotype-directed treatments, most in clinical trials (61%), leading to significant benefit in several cases. The most common reasons for not receiving genotype-directed therapy were selection of standard therapy (35%) and clinical deterioration (13%).

Conclusion: Mutational profiling using a targeted NGS panel identified potentially actionable alterations in a majority of advanced cancer patients. The assay identified additional therapeutic options and facilitated clinical trial enrollment. As time progresses, NGS results will be used to guide therapy in an increasing proportion of patients.

Keywords: Cancer; Genotype; Molecular targeted therapy; Mutation; Next-generation sequencing; Precision medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures of potential conflicts of interest may be found at the end of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Spectrum of potentially actionable genetic alterations across tumor types, including mutations, amplifications, homozygous deletions, and fusions. Abbreviations: GF, growth factor; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; MTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; RTK, receptor tyrosine kinase.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Potential genotype-directed therapeutic options available based on genetic profiling.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Outcome and therapy assignment following genetic profiling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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