A Case Report Demonstrating the Potential Clinical Relevance of Liquid Tumor Biopsies in Lung Cancer

Abstract

A 50-year-old male with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer was unable to have standard-of-care molecular testing performed at diagnosis as a result of inadequacy of the available tissue. A subsequently performed commercial liquid tumor biopsy (Foundation ACT®) revealed an epidermal growth factor receptor exon 19 deletion, but due to the progression of the tumor and rapid deterioration in the patient’s performance status, a meaningful attempt at therapy directed to this recognized therapeutic target was not possible. This case provides important support for the relevance of liquid tumor biopsies in documenting highly clinically relevant molecular targets, particularly in the setting where limited solid tumor tissue is available for analysis.

Keywords

• Epidermal growth factor receptor
• Lung cancer
• Mutation