The expanding importance of tissue sample analysis for biomarker testing in non-small cell lung cancer management and survival

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent type of lung cancer, currently a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The development of molecular biomarkers has led to novel treatment strategies and subsequent improvement in survival outcomes in all stages of the disease. To select the best therapeutic strategy, an adequate tissue sample by means of core needle biopsies or cytological blocks is required in order to carry out PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panels. Pneumologists specializing in NSCLC diagnosis and staging have a paramount role in selecting the best tumoral site for analysis, as primary tumour, regional lymph nodes, and metastatic sites can be selected. With this review, we aim to highlight the most important biomarkers used to guide treatment selection in NSCLC and show the improvement in survival outcomes with the implementation of these treatment strategies, from the metastatic setting, unresectable stage III, and resectable disease.

Keywords

• Biomarkers. Immunotherapy. Non-small-cell lung cancer. Targeted therapy.