title: Diagnosis and predictive molecular analysis of non-small-cell lung cancer in the Africa-Middle East region: challenges and strategies for improvement.
abstract: The identification of tumor biomarkers provides information on the prognosis and guides the implementation of appropriate treatment in patients with many different cancer types. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), targeted treatment plans based on biomarker identification have already been used in the clinic. However, such predictive molecular testing is not currently a universally used practice. This is the case, in particular, in developing countries where lung cancer is increasingly prevalent. In September 2012 and November 2013, a committee of 16 lung cancer experts from Africa and the Middle East met to discuss key issues related to diagnosis and biomarker testing in NSCLC and the implementation of personalized medicine in the region. The committee identified current challenges for effective diagnosis and predictive analysis in Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, strategies to encourage the implementation of biomarker testing were discussed. A practical approach for the effective diagnosis and predictive molecular testing of NSCLC in these regions was derived. We present the key issues and recommendations arising from the meetings.
authors.affiliation: Ampath Pathology Laboratories and Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: slavikt@ampath.co.za.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slavik
authors.affiliation: Center of Pathology CHU Mustapha, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Asselah
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Riad El-Solh, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Najla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fakhruddin
authors.affiliation: Kuwait Cancer Centre, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Khodary
authors.affiliation: Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli, Libya.
authors.forename: Fairouz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torjman
authors.affiliation: Kasr El Aini University Hospital, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Elia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anis
authors.affiliation: AcuMed, Macclesfield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Azzam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khankan
authors.affiliation: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kerr
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008877:Middle East; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D058996:Quality Improvement
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: ALK; Adenocarcinoma; Biomarker; EGFR; Molecular testing