Analytical Validation of the Labcorp Plasma Complete Test, a Cell-Free DNA Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Tool for Precision Oncology.

To help guide treatment decisions and clinical trial matching, tumor genomic profiling is an essential precision oncology tool. Liquid biopsy, a complementary approach to tissue testing, can assess tumor-specific DNA alterations circulating in the blood. Labcorp Plasma Complete is a next-generation sequencing, cell-free DNA comprehensive genomic profiling test that identifies clinically relevant somatic variants across 521 genes in advanced and metastatic solid cancers.

Case report: Single gene testing and comprehensive genomic profiling in non-small cell lung cancer-a case series of divergent results from a large reference laboratory.

Clinical management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requires accurate identification of tumor-specific genetic alterations to inform treatment options. Historically, providers have relied on single-gene testing (SGT) for actionable variants due to a perception of cost-effectiveness and/or efficient turnaround time compared to next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, not all actionable variants may be evaluated through SGT modalities, and an SGT approach can exhaust valuable tissue needed for more comprehensive analyses.

Cancer testis antigen burden (CTAB): a novel biomarker of tumor-associated antigens in lung cancer.

Background: Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are tumor antigens that are normally expressed in the testes but are aberrantly expressed in several cancers. CTA overexpression drives the metastasis and progression of lung cancer, and is associated with poor prognosis. To improve lung cancer diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and drug discovery, robust CTA identification and quantitation is needed.

Pay-for-Performance Incentives: Holy Grail or Sippy Cup?

The health care system is slowly evolving from fee-for-service care to other forms of payment. Pay-for-performance contracts based on quality, patient satisfaction, and utilization are an important development along the continuum. The metrics are not perfect and do not always nudge clinicians to improve their performance, but many outcomes are likely to improve.