Genetics

Kristin Daly, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, discusses the clinical significance of tumor variants and how they are changing the direction of cancer care.

The growing availability of biomarkers has led to the advent of more targeted therapies such as the antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki, ado-trastuzumab emtansine, and sacituzumab govitecan-hziy.

The FDA has approved trastuzumab deruxtecan for patients with HER2-mutated non–small cell lung cancer after the DESTINY-Lung02 results demonstrated a 57% overall response rate with the agent. The drug comes with warning for interstitial lung disease, neutropenia, and left ventricular dysfunction.

The FDA has granted capmatinib regular approval for patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have a mutation leading to MET exon 14 skipping. The drug comes with warning for pneumonitis, hepatotoxicity, and pancreatic toxicity.

At the 6th Annual SONO meeting, Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP, reviewed available treatment options for patients with identified driver mutations in non–small cell lung cancer.

Paula Anastasia, RN, MN, AOCN, discusses the value of germline testing and the role of maintenance PARP inhibitor therapy in optimized ovarian cancer treatment.

Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP, discusses some of the challenges that may be associated with molecular testing, and how oncology nurses can help play a role in ensuring that the reports are received.

In early-stage cancers, ctDNA has a role in screening, neoadjuvant monitoring, identification of molecular residual disease (MRD), molecular relapse monitoring, and early assessment of treatment response.

Patients with 4-1BB or LAG-3–expressing T cells at baseline, or a high proportion of PD-L1–expressing myeloid cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells during boost cycles, may be more likely to benefit from the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab.

The FDA have granted an accelerated approval to acimibinib, which treats CML by binding to the ABL myristoyl pocket.

It is imperative that patients diagnosed with blood cancer undergo the proper molecular testing, one expert says.

With the emergence of several targeted treatments that have shown efficacy in individuals with germline pathogenic variants, specifically in DNA mismatch repair, the need for germline genetic testing has become even more pronounced.

Nurses play a key role in ensuring that patients with gynecologic cancer understand the results and implications of genetic testing.

The FDA has approved Guardant360® CDx for comprehensive genomic profiling in patients with any solid malignant cancer.

Genetic testing is more important now than ever before, as biomarker-driven cancer treatments continue to receive approval across many tumor types. While these personalized treatments are improving outcomes, navigating the landscape of genetic testing can leave patients with questions for their providers.

Given the recent use of genes to determine prognosis and treatment decisions in the field of hematology, it is important for providers to collaborate with geneticists.

Getting an accurate family history can be one of the most challenging things that nurses face, according to Suzanne Mahon, DNSc, a clinical nurse specialist at SLUCare physician group, St Louis, Missouri.

As genetics in cancer care grows, so will the role of the oncology nurse.

The presence of the proteins p16 and p21 has shown to be predictive of treatment response in patients with osteosarcoma, a disease that previously had no identified biomarkers to indicate whether or not patients would benefit from therapy, explained C. Parker Gibbs, MD.

Not all patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are recommended for genomic testing when treated in a community setting, and are therefore not being appropriately tested for potential molecular drivers of their disease, explained Nathan Pennell, MD, PhD.

People with genetic mutations are often confronted with an abundance of screening protocols that can be overwhelming.

Two new single agents led to brain penetrance and 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) suppression in patients with low-grade glioma who harbor IDH1 mutations, according to updated findings.

With the help of NGS, new research is emerging for targeted therapies of rare mutations in lung cancer.

Wnt emerges as an exciting and favorable pathway for the treatment of patients with CRC.

New therapeutic options are emerging for patients with Lung cancer positive for ALK or ROS1.

A closer look at the genealogy of Utah's founders provided one expert with a data mine to help combat lung cancer.

Patients with a higher likelihood to develop BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations are slipping through the cracks, making testing for these mutations a vital part of any breast cancer treatment plan.