title: The challenge of molecular testing for clinical trials in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: Analysis of a prospective database.
abstract: Molecular testing has become important in the biomarker program of clinical trials for advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). These tissue samples often have to be analyzed in a central laboratory. We evaluated the turnaround time and possible delay in start of therapy in this process and how often testing resulted in inclusion in a clinical trial.
  
  
  
  We reviewed our prospective database on all molecular testing cases for clinical trial suitability in patients with advanced NSCLC between March 1, 2011 and October 31, 2014.
  
  
  
  250 patients were considered for biomarker-driven trials. Twenty-three cases did not have further analysis and 20 patients had failure of central biomarker analysis. Results were obtained for 207 (83%) patients. In 91 of 227 (40%) samples sent, a biomarker of interest was documented. This led to 34 (15%) clinical trial inclusions. The mean waiting time between informed consent and request for tissue sections from the pathology lab and receipt of biomarker result from central lab was 24.4 (SD 13.7) calendar days.
  
  
  
  While molecular biomarker testing is crucial in many NSCLC trials, our results show that waiting times for central laboratory analysis can cause an important delay in treatment initiation, and even ineligibility for the trial(s) under consideration. Start of therapy based on properly validated local testing, with a posteriori central biomarker testing to guarantee the integrity of the trial, would be more rewarding for quite some patients.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anniek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vrancken
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lepers
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liesbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oyen
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dooms
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristiaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nackaerts
authors.affiliation: Pathology, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verbeken
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wauters
authors.affiliation: Pathology, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weynand
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Oncology Unit (Respiratory Medicine) and Leuven Lung Cancer Group, University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: johan.vansteenkiste@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vansteenkiste
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D059039:Standard of Care; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D057832:Watchful Waiting
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Biomarkers; Clinical trial; NSCLC; Quality of care; Waiting times