2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-EP06.04. FLUIDIndia:Liquid "First" Approach is a "Solid" Solution in NSCLC

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This study discusses the use of liquid biopsy as a "first" approach for biomarker testing in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The authors explain that with advancements in understanding molecular biology, targeted therapies have become more common in the treatment of NSCLC. However, obtaining tissue samples for biomarker testing can be challenging, and lung biopsies may not be feasible in some cases. Therefore, the liquid biopsy approach is recommended by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.<br /><br />The study aimed to compare the concordance between tissue and liquid-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) in an Indian NSCLC cohort. A total of 202 NSCLC patients were included in the study, and liquid biopsy analysis provided results for all patients, while tissue-based analysis failed in 17.3% of patients due to insufficient tumor samples.<br /><br />The results showed a concordance rate of 61% between tissue and liquid biopsy for actionable driver mutations. Liquid biopsy had a sensitivity of 92% for Tier 1 alterations, and the concordance rate for positive results was 91%. However, there were discrepancies in panel results and missed fusion detection in the liquid-based results. Only 2 out of 18 patients with fusion rearrangements detected on solid tumor testing also tested positive on liquid biopsy.<br /><br />The study concludes that the liquid first approach has advantages, including higher success rates and faster turnaround times compared to tissue-based analysis. However, it highlights the need for optimizing fusion detection methods using liquid biopsy to improve concordance. The authors suggest that liquid biopsy could be a "solid" solution for biomarker testing in NSCLC, but further research is needed to bridge the concordance gap.<br /><br />This study is the largest single-center concordance study reported in the literature and provides valuable insights into the use of liquid biopsy in NSCLC patients in India.

Asset Subtitle

Ullas Batra

Meta Tag

Speaker Ullas Batra

Topic Pathology & Biomarkers: Liquid Based Biomarkers

Keywords

liquid biopsy

biomarker testing

non-small cell lung cancer

NSCLC

molecular biology

targeted therapies

tissue samples

next-generation sequencing

concordance rate

fusion detection