OncoGene ^® MAGAZINE Home of Biomarkers in Oncology

Yes. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend BRAF testing in all patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, irrespective of clinical characteristics.

 

 

^{Although cell-free/circulating tumor DNA testing has generally high specificity, it has low sensitivity (with a false-negative rate of up to 30%) and should not be used in place of tissue-based testing, if tissue is available.} 

^{Cell-free/circulating tumor DNA testing is appropriate when invasive tissue sampling is not an option for a given patient or when the tissue sample is insufficient for molecular analysis. Negative cell-free/circulating tumor DNA testing results should be confirmed by tissue-based analysis whenever possible.} 

 

EGFR Mutations

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations occur in approximately 10% of NSCLC adenocarcinomas in the U.S. and are observed more frequently in nonsmokers.

The two most common EGFR mutations, exon 19 deletions and exon 21 point mutations (L858R), account for approximately 90% of EGFR-mutated NSCLC cases and are associated with responsiveness to EGFR TKI therapy.  However, there are many other less common EGFR mutations that are also sensitizing, and patients should be tested for these, as well. DNA mutational analysis is the preferred method for determining EGFR status; IHC is not recommended. 

ALK Gene Rearrangements

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements are present in roughly 5% of patients with NSCLC. The presence of an ALK gene rearrangement correlates with responsiveness to ALK TKIs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved IHC assay (D5F3 clone) is an adequate standalone test to detect ALK alterations, although secondary confirmation is encouraged.  Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is also widely used for ALK gene rearrangement detection.  Next generation sequencing (NGS) methodologies may detect ALK rearrangements, if appropriately designed.

ROS1 Gene Rearrangements

ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) gene rearrangements are more common in patients who are negative for EGFR mutations, KRAS mutations, and ALK rearrangements.

The presence of a ROS1 gene rearrangement correlates with responsiveness to ROS1 TKIs. FISH is often used to detect ROS1 rearrangements, but may not detect the FIG-ROS1 variant.  IHC testing is also available, but has lower specificity than other methodologies. Therefore, positive IHC results should be confirmed molecularly or cytogenetically.  NGS methodologies may detect ROS1 rearrangements, if appropriately designed.

BRAF Mutations

BRAF mutations at amino acid position 600 (BRAF V600E) have been associated with responsiveness to combined therapy with oral inhibitors of BRAF and MEK.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and NCCN recommend BRAF testing in all patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, irrespective of clinical characteristics.  Testing methodologies include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), NGS, and Sanger sequencing. IHC, although available, is not a preferred approach.

KRAS Mutations

The presence of a KRAS mutation, considered a prognostic biomarker, suggests poor survival for patients with NSCLC and is associated with reduced responsiveness to EGFR TKI therapy. EGFR, KRAS, ROS1, and ALK genetic alterations do not usually overlap. Therefore, the presence of a KRAS mutation suggests that patients may not benefit from further testing.

Targeted therapy is not currently available for patients with KRAS mutations, though immune checkpoint inhibitors appear to be effective. 

PD-L1 Expression Testing

Testing for PD-L1 expression levels by IHC is recommended before first-line treatment in patients with metastatic NSCLC to assess whether PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors are a treatment option.

Refer to the PD-L1 Testing topic for the most up-to-date testing recommendations.

 

Therapy Resistance Testing

Patients can develop resistance to therapy. For example, the EGFR T790M mutation is associated with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI therapy. Therefore, patients with an underlying EGFR sensitizing mutation who have been treated with an EGFR TKI should undergo high-sensitivity testing for EGFR T790M. The presence of a T790M mutation suggests that a patient may benefit from third-generation EGFR TKI therapy. If there is no evidence of a T790M mutation, testing for alternate mechanisms of resistance, such as MET or ERBB2 amplification, may be considered to direct patients to alternative therapies.

There is currently insufficient evidence to support routine secondary ALK mutation testing in patients who have relapsed after initial response to ALK inhibitor therapy.