Biomarkers

With her family history of cancers related to the BRCA mutation, Jamie Ledezma’s first pregnancy suddenly got very complicated when she learned she had triple-negative breast cancer.

In May 2020, the FDA approved Tabrecta, a new targeted therapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer that is associated with the MET biomarker.

Non–small-cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for about 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases in the United States.

This special issue of CONQUER magazine is focused on very innovative diagnostic tests that involve biomarkers associated with cancer. For many past decades we have provided the same types of treatments for patients with cancer, basing the treatments on the type of cancer the patient had, and where it was in the body, such as lung cancer or breast cancer.

Understanding the specific biomarkers associated with each patient’s cancer helps to select the best therapy that targets that unique biomarker to improve the chance of survival for that patient.

Genetic testing, genomic testing, molecular profiling—how can you make sense of these terms to ensure you receive the best test and best treatment in this era of targeted therapies? A group of experts and patient advocates provide answers to these questions.

New treatments are becoming available for patients with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Testing for specific biomarkers is crucial to ensure each patient receives the best available treatment for any associated biomarker.

Patients with advanced lung cancer should be tested for the 5 most common biomarkers so they may receive the best treatment options for their disease.

In her Introduction to the special edition of CONQUER titled Understanding Biomarkers & Molecular Testing, Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, ONN-CG, briefly explains what biomarkers are, why they are important, and what you should know about them.