Audit of diagnostic tissue for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) mutations respond well to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This response is better than that seen with standard chemotherapy. Adequate tissue specimens are necessary for accurate identification of biomarkers in NSCLC to determine subtype and targeted treatment. The aim of this study is to ascertain which biopsy method provides the highest proportion of adequate tissue specimens for biomarker testing. Methods: The Mosaiq® database was accessed to retrieve information regarding all (164) patients diagnosed with NSCLC between 12/02/2011-15/2/13. The biopsy methods used, patient characteristics and adequacy of tissue obtained for biomarker testing were analysed using the SPSS software. Result: From the 41 patients tested for biomarkers, surgical resection provided the highest proportion of adequate tissue specimens (100%) compared with fine needle (89%) and core biopsy (61%) respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with NSCLC who are unsuitable for surgery, fine needle biopsy can be considered before core biopsy for biomarker testing given the higher proportion of adequate tissue specimens obtained. Larger scale trials are required to assess tissue acquisition, processing and reporting for biomarker testing in order to standardise detection of driver mutations for personalised cancer therapy