Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Personalized Medicine: Molecular Tests that Matter

Abstract

The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer is entering a new era. With increasingly advanced diagnostic tools, we are more able than ever to pinpoint genetic changes in tumor cells that allow us to treat with highly effective, targeted therapy. In a growing number of patients, we are able to avoid cytotoxic therapies altogether. The recent advent of immunotherapy has led to a similar paradigm shift. This article will review the latest advances in tumor tissue and blood biomarkers directly as they relate to available treatments. Specifically, we will review activating and sensitizing gene mutations, gene fusions, PD-L1 tumor score, and close with an appraisal of the rapidly advancing field of peripheral blood biomarkers.

Keywords: Non-Small Cell Lung cancer; immunotherapies; molecular tests; peripheral blood biomarkers.