Understanding Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) for Lung Cancer

*Please note: This slide show is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What is comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP)?

Comprehensive genetic profiling, or CGP, is a type of genetic testing. It helps find changes in genes, called mutations, that affect how cancers grow, spread, and respond to treatment. For example, CGP can find genetic mutations such as EGFR, KRAS, ALK, and others. It allows your doctor to look at the entire genetic "landscape" of a tumor.

What is next-generation sequencing (NGS)?

Next-generation sequencing, or NGS, is the technology used to do comprehensive genomic profiling, or CGP. It allows the profiling of multiple genes at once. This can give a broad overview of a tumor's genetic mutations.

Why are NGS and CGP important in lung cancer testing?

Treatments exist to successfully target the mutations that show up with CGP. Targeting them can slow or stop the cancer.

Why are NGS and CGP important in lung cancer testing?

Using NGS to do comprehensive genetic profiling helps doctors diagnose, monitor, and treat lung cancers. This is especially helpful for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

What are the benefits of CGP?

CGP can screen for hundreds of genetic biomarkers, helping doctors understand the tumor better and choose the best treatment options.

It is helpful for finding mutations that can be targeted with specific drugs.

How can the results of CGP with NGS help guide treatment decisions?

Identifying specific mutations and viewing the tumor's genetic "landscape" can help doctors choose treatments to target the mutations.

Targeted treatments can be more effective at destroying cancer cells than non-targeted treatments, and this can lead to a better outcome. Since they target cells with specific mutations, they also tend to leave healthy cells alone. This can mean fewer side effects from treatment.

Using NGS and CGP to guide ongoing treatment

Once you start targeted treatment, doctors can use CGP, performed with NGS technology, to learn how the cancer is responding and find mutations that cause the cancer to become resistant to treatment. These are called resistance mutations.

Benefits of using NGS with CGP during ongoing treatment

Finding resistance mutations and other information about your lung cancer response allows the doctor to adjust the treatment plan if needed.

If a treatment is not working well or the tumor is becoming resistant you may switch to a treatment that could be more effective.

Who should have comprehensive biomarker testing?

Talk with your doctor about comprehensive biomarker testing if you are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) currently recommends testing for genetic alterations in EGFR, ALK, ROS1, RET, KRAS, MET, ERBB2, NTRK1/2/3, and PD-L1 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer to learn which treatment may benefit you most.

This testing can be done on a sample of tumor tissue, called a tissue biopsy, or a blood sample, which is called a liquid biopsy.

Understanding the limitations of NGS and CGP

Even with NGS technology, CGP does have some limitations. It's important to have enough high-quality samples, so multiple biopsies are sometimes needed to gather them. Interpreting CGP results can be complicated and requires experts in molecular pathology.

The cost can be high, and private insurance or government health plans may limit the amount of testing they cover.

Things to consider with comprehensive biomarker testing

It's important to know that some mutations found by comprehensive biomarker testing may not have a specific targeted therapy.

To get the most benefit from these tests, you may want to talk with your doctor about testing for mutations associated with a successful targeted therapy.

Molecular profiling advances and future changes

Both NGS technology and CGP are still advancing. Researchers are working to make comprehensive biomarker testing faster and more accurate.

In the future, AI may help doctors interpret test results. This is likely to lead to even more effective and personalized cancer treatments.

Getting access to comprehensive biomarker testing in your cancer treatment

If your doctor suspects lung cancer, ask about comprehensive biomarker testing using NGS technology. There are certain mutations that doctors almost always test for, and these should be included in molecular profiling.

If your doctor does not mention these tests, feel free to ask. The results can make a difference in your treatment options and success.

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