Over the last few decades, biomarkers have become increasingly important for the treatment of lung cancers. Since 2004, over 20 different biomarkers have been identified and linked to the development of lung cancer. Of these, 9 biomarkers are now treatable using FDA-approved targeted therapies and many others are currently under investigation for future drug development.^4,5

Biomarker testing plays a critical role in lung cancer to help determine which targeted therapy may be most appropriate for a particular patient. Therefore, it is essential that biomarker testing is conducted in patients with lung cancer early in the treatment process. Updated guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that biomarker testing include assessment of EGFR, ALK, KRAS, ROS1, BRAF, NTRK, MET, RET, and HER2 in all patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC.⁶ Study data show that less than 60% of patients receive recommended biomarker testing prior to first-line therapy.⁷ Moreover, testing rates are low among certain ethnic and racial subpopulations, and there remains an ongoing need for improved strategies to overcome barriers and disparities related to biomarker testing.⁸