Video

Dr. Marshall on the Importance of Molecular Testing in Gastrointestinal Cancers

John L. Marshall, MD, discusses the importance of molecular testing in gastrointestinal cancers.

John L. Marshall, MD, chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, professor of medicine and oncology, and director, Otto J. Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the importance of molecular testing in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

The molecular characteristics of GI cancer​s should be identified early in ​the course of treatment, says Marshall. Additionally, it ​is understood that these cancer​s are polyclonal, ​explains Marshall. When provided the opportunity, ​testing should be repeated.

Liquid biopsies to look for mechanisms of resistance in GI cancers have not yet been fully adopted, ​explains Marshall. However, as the utility of liquid biopsy grows, changes in resistance patterns ​are likely to be identified.

Although current guidelines do not require repeat testing, it could have a positive effect on the management of patients with GI cancers, Marshall concludes.

Related Videos
Thach-Giao Truong, MD
Aparna Parikh, MD
Noman Ashraf, MD
Daniel E. Haggstrom, MD
Daniel E. Haggstrom, MD
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD, and Benjamin Besse, MD, discuss unmet needs and future research directions in ALK-positive and ROS1-positive NSCLC.
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD, and Benjamin Besse, MD, discuss data for lorlatinib in ROS1-positive NSCLC after crizotinib and chemotherapy.
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD, and Benjamin Besse, MD, discuss data for taletrectinib in ROS1-positive advanced non–small cell lung cancer.
Aparna Parikh, MD, associate professor, medicine, Harvard Medical School; assistant in medicine, Hematology, Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital; attending oncologist, Tucker Gosnell Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers, the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies
Gregory J. Riely, MD, PhD, and Benjamin Besse, MD, on progression patterns and subsequent therapies after lorlatinib in ALK-positive NSCLC.