Dr. Salgia on Importance of Molecular Markers in Lung Cancer

Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD, Arthur & Rosalie Kaplan Chair in Medical Oncology, associate director for clinical sciences at City of Hope, discusses the importance of molecular markers in lung cancer.

Lung cancer can be subdivided into histology subtypes, like non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. There are also adenocarcinomas, nonsquamous cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and sometimes large cell carcinomas, but there are also subsets in terms of molecular markers, Salgia adds. There are EGFR mutations, ALK translocations, or ROS1 translocations, which can be discovered through a molecular test.

Salgia says that molecular testing is imperative and standard. Molecular testing can indicate a targetable pathway for a patient, and can open up additional treatment options if the patient harbors a particular mutation. As a standard practice in NSCLC, molecular testing has transformed therapeutic approaches and sequencing for patients.