Integration of molecular profiling into the lung cancer clinic.
Individuals from five thoracic oncology centers in the United States recently met to discuss how to integrate molecular profiling into the care of all patients with carcinoma of the lung. Lung cancer is an area of medical oncology in which clinicians are beginning to use specific tumor-associated molecular aberrations to assign and/or prioritize targeted therapies for patients. At this early stage, multiple hurdles remain before molecular profiling becomes a routine part of thoracic oncology practice. Concrete collaborative next steps were discussed that could help lead to standardized methods across institutions. In particular, to develop specific targeted therapies for patients whose tumors harbor rare mutations, it will be important for multiple institutions to work together to identify appropriate candidates, design the appropriate trials, and execute the trials with adequate numbers to achieve the necessary end points. Implementation will facilitate realization of the promise of molecularly tailored therapy, which could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Pao
William
W
Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA. william.pao@vanderbilt.edu
Kris
Mark G
MG
Iafrate
A John
AJ
Ladanyi
Marc
M
Jänne
Pasi A
PA
Wistuba
Ignacio I
II
Miake-Lye
Ryn
R
Herbst
Roy S
RS
Carbone
David P
DP
Johnson
Bruce E
BE
Lynch
Thomas J
TJ
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C117307:KRAS protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins