The challenge of molecular testing for clinical trials in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: Analysis of a prospective database.

Objectives: Molecular testing has become important in the biomarker program of clinical trials for advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). These tissue samples often have to be analyzed in a central laboratory. We evaluated the turnaround time and possible delay in start of therapy in this process and how often testing resulted in inclusion in a clinical trial.

Difficulties in diagnosis of systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease.

We discuss a case that demonstrates the difficulties in making a confident diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Atypical symptoms can be present, suggesting the diagnosis of an underlying connective tissue disease (CTD), but it can take several years before a definite diagnosis can be made because there are insufficient features to fulfill the preset classification criteria (American College of Rheumatology criteria) for a definite underlying CTD. Close follow-up of these patients is necessary because patients with SSc-ILD have a poorer prognosis than those with SSc without pulmonary involvement.