'Plasma first' approach for detecting epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Introduction: The treatment approach for recently diagnosed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations primarily relies on confirming the tissue diagnosis as non-squamous NSCLC. This routine clinical practice of tissue diagnosis imposes several barriers and delays in turnaround time (TAT) for biomarker testing, significantly delaying the time to treatment. The objective of this study is to investigate the 'plasma first' approach for detection of EGFR mutation in advanced stage treatment naïve NSCLC patients.

Pleural effusion supernatant: a reliable resource for cell-free DNA in molecular testing of lung cancer.

Introduction: DNA extracted from malignant pleural effusion (PE) sediments is the traditional source of tumor DNA for predictive biomarker molecular testing (MT). Few recent studies have proposed the utility of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted from effusion cytology centrifuged supernatants (CCS) in MT. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and utility of molecular testing on cfDNA extracted from PE CCS in lung cancer patients.

Mapping the immune landscape in small cell lung cancer by analysing expression of immuno-modulators in tissue biopsies and paired blood samples.

Small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) are aggressive tumors with high propensity to metastasize. Recent NCCN guidelines have incorporated immunotherapy in extensive stage SCLC. Limited benefit in few patients compounded by side effects of unwonted immune-checkpoint-inhibitor (ICPI) usage necessitates identification of potential biomarkers predicting response to ICPIs.

IDH1/2 Mutations in Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinomas : Previously Undescribed IDH2 R172K and R140x Variants.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare, poorly defined sinonasal epithelial neoplasm from which several genetically defined entities are emerging. IDH1/2 mutations were recently identified in a subset of SNUC. However, the ideal method for the detection of these mutations remains to be established.

SMARCA4/BRG1-Deficient Sinonasal Carcinoma.

Context.—: Molecular analysis of poorly differentiated/undifferentiated sinonasal neoplasms has resulted in identification of a growing number of genetically defined tumors. SMARCA4-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is one such recently described entity that emerged from within sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and teratocarcinosarcoma (TCS).