Targeting lung cancer: How biomarkers can help doctors find suitable treatments
What are common biomarkers in lung cancer?
Key biomarkers and their prevalence in NSCLC
How is biomarker testing done?
Biomarker testing is often done via a tumor tissue biopsy—a procedure where a tumor sample is collected for closer examination.
Another way to test for biomarkers is through liquid biopsy testing, where doctors analyze bits of tumor material found in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva. In most cases, the procedure for collecting a liquid sample is less invasive and more easily repeatable than a tissue biopsy. For lung cancer, liquid biopsies usually involve blood samples.
Liquid biopsies can complement or, in some cases, serve as an alternative to tissue biopsies. They reveal some of the same information as tissue biopsies. But they have limitations—sometimes liquid biopsies result in a false negative or often don't perfectly match tissue biopsy results. More studies are needed to validate liquid biopsy tests.
Biomarker testing helps guide treatment for lung cancer
Biomarker testing results are very important for lung cancer treatment. They help a doctor customize a treatment plan based on the biomarker test results. They will show if the person’s tumor can be treated with a targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy.
Treatments for specific biomarkers are called "targeted therapy" because they target what is causing the tumor to grow. There are many Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments that target different lung cancer biomarkers.
Sometimes treatment can cause the makeup of a lung cancer tumor to change. Other times, the tumor can become resistant to targeted therapy. That’s why doctors may recommend retesting for biomarkers if lung cancer recurs after treatment.
What if a person’s tumor does not have biomarkers with approved treatments?
Not every person with lung cancer will test positive for biomarkers. For those who can’t be treated with targeted therapies, their lung cancer can be treated in other ways, including:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy + chemotherapy
- Laser therapy
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- Cryosurgery
- Electrocautery
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