WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P1.17.13 Biomarker Testing Timeliness for Patients With Lung Cancer

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This study evaluated the timeliness of biomarker testing in lung cancer patients at an urban tertiary care safety-net hospital. A retrospective review of 433 patients from December 2018 through March 2025 was conducted, analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) reports from tissue (solid tumor), blood (liquid biopsy), or both. The cohort was predominantly Black (64.7%), with a majority diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (69.4%). The study focused on key metrics: time from biopsy sample collection or NGS order to report and presence of actionable molecular biomarkers linked to FDA-approved therapies.<br /><br />Results demonstrated that liquid biopsy significantly reduced turnaround times compared to solid tumor biopsy. Average days from sample collection to NGS report were 12.8 for liquid biopsy versus 38.6 for solid biopsies (p<0.01), and from NGS order to report were 12.3 versus 21.1 days, respectively (p<0.01). Nearly half (48.3%) of adenocarcinoma patients harbored actionable molecular alterations highlighting the critical role of comprehensive molecular profiling for personalized treatments.<br /><br />Importantly, no significant racial disparities in biomarker testing turnaround times were identified in this diverse patient cohort, suggesting equitable access and processing within this safety-net hospital setting. This contrasts with prior reports noting racial and socioeconomic disparities in biomarker testing.<br /><br />In conclusion, liquid biopsy offers a substantially faster route for obtaining critical genomic information in lung cancer patients, enabling timely clinical decision-making and trial eligibility. The high prevalence of actionable biomarkers confirms the necessity for prompt and comprehensive molecular testing. The absence of racial differences in testing timeliness is encouraging, supporting ongoing efforts to ensure equitable cancer care. The study emphasizes that integrating liquid biopsy in molecular diagnostics can improve efficiency and patient outcomes in urban safety-net hospitals.

Asset Subtitle

Bingtao Xiang

Meta Tag

Speaker Bingtao Xiang

Topic Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics

Keywords

lung cancer

biomarker testing

liquid biopsy

solid tumor biopsy

next-generation sequencing

adenocarcinoma

turnaround time

racial disparities

safety-net hospital

molecular profiling