Utilization of Advanced Molecular Analyses in ClinicalPractice in Lung Cancer: A Country Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical practices of medical oncologists in Turkey for utilization of molecular andgenetic analyses in lung cancer. Methods: All medical oncologists registered to the Turkish Medical Oncology Society participated in an online surveyabout their practices of molecular and genetic analyses for management of lung cancer patients. Results: Participants were 189 medical oncologists. Results showed that 88.4% checked mutations in adenocancer,75.7% checked EGFR, EML-ALK, and ROS-1 in NSCLC, 75.1% checked markers only for locally advanced/metastatic dis eases; 45% obtained results in 8–14 days and 31.2% in 15–21 days. A positive EGFR/ALK report after initiating chemoled 68.3% to re-evaluate patient after 2/3 cycles, 20.6% to stop chemo and shift to targeted therapy and 12.2% tocontinue full-regimen. Of the participants, 46% requested secondary biopsy in progressions under treatment, 22.2%in young patients, 34.9% in never-smokers, 46.6% in patients testing negative but presumed to be clinically positive. Conclusion: Most medical oncologists in Turkey use molecular/genetic analyses in their clinical practice. However,the limited availability and delays in results lead oncologists to initiate treatment primarily based on clinical findings.Once these methods become widespread, targeted therapies and consequent favorable outcomes will increase in thepractice of oncology.