Dr. Rohs on the Importance of Genetic Testing in NSCLC

Nicholas C. Rohs, MD, assistant professor of medicine, hematology, and medical oncology, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, discusses the importance of genetic testing in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

​All patients with NSCLC, particularly those with lung adenocarcinoma, should undergo genetic testing, says Rohs.

An actionable mutation can be identified in about two-thirds of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, Rohs says. These actionable mutations play an important role in the treatment selection process. Oftentimes, these actionable mutations are somatic mutations rather than germline mutations, says Rohs.

 Notably, several effective and well-tolerated ​oral therapies ​are available for patients who harbor an EGFR mutation, Rohs adds.

Additionally, although it was believed that KRAS was an undruggable target, ​early responses with modified KRAS inhibitors have been observed in clinical trials.

The role of KRAS mutations has garnered significant excitement in NSCLC, and is the focus of ​ongoing research efforts, Rohs concludes.