WHAT IS A BIOMARKER?
A biomarker is any molecule that can be measured in tissues, blood, or other bodily fluids that may reveal distinct traits of an individual’s lung cancer.
For stage 4 NSCLC, two types of biomarkers are used to help optimize a patient’s treatment plan:
- Driver Mutations: These are changes in the cell that may drive your lung cancer to grow and spread. Driver mutations include EGFR, ALK, KRAS, ROS1, BRAF, NTRK, MET, and RET.
- PD-L1: A protein that could be found on the surface of a cancer cell and may stop your immune system from killing these cancer cells.
WHAT IS BIOMARKER TESTING?
Biomarker testing is performed to determine whether you have a mutation or a particular protein that could cause your cancer to grow and spread.
Two ways to test for biomarkers
Biopsy
Removes tissue from
a tumor to be tested
Blood test
Also known as
a liquid biopsy or plasma test
Your doctor may recommend one or both tests for a complete diagnosis of your stage 4 NSCLC.
WHY IS BIOMARKER TESTING IMPORTANT?
- Biomarker test results may help your doctor understand what is causing
your lung cancer to grow and spread. - Knowing the driver of your lung cancer means you and your doctor may be able to determine a treatment plan that targets it — right from the beginning.
DID YOU KNOW?
Genetic mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor — EGFR mutations — may drive your cancer cells to grow and spread. EGFR mutations are a type of biomarkers that are common among Asian lung cancer patients.
Approximately 45% of
Asian NSCLC patients have an EGFR biomarker. *
*Percentages are for the most common type of NSCLC called adenocarcinoma.
UNDERSTANDING BIOMARKERS IN YOUR LUNG CANCER
DETECTIVE BIO:
Hello! I am detective Bio.
Today, let’s find important clues to help guide your lung cancer treatment.
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UNDERSTANDING LUNG CANCER TREATMENT
DETECTIVE BIO:
A key clue to solving your case is a biomarker.
Then, what is a biomarker?
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Know your biomarker status
What is a biomarker?
DETECTIVE BIO:
Every person has a different fingerprint.
Just as each fingerprint has a different pattern, each person's lung cancer may have a different signature.
These signatures are called biomarkers.
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Biomarkers
Biomarkers reveal different traits of each individual's lung cancer.
DETECTIVE BIO:
Certain lung cancer biomarkers may help doctors to better understand a patient’s specific type of cancer and to better determine their appropriate treatment options.
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Treatment Options
Surgery | Targeted Therapy | Immunotherapy | Chemotherapy | Radiation
Treatment options will depend on your type and stage of lung cancer. Talk to your doctor about which treatment options may be right for you.
DETECTIVE BIO:
Biomarkers sometimes emerge from mutations in DNA.
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Normal Cells
Cancer Cells
EGFR* mutation detected
*EGFR = Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
DETECTIVE BIO:
Genetic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR gene -- among various biomarkers -- can drive your lung cancer to grow and spread.
EGFR mutations are a type of biomarkers that are common in patients with lung cancer from Asia.
Approximately 45% of Asian non-small cell lung cancer patients test positive for an EGFR biomarker.
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Asian Lung Cancer Patients
Approximately 45% of Asian non-small cell lung cancer patients have an EGFR biomarker.*
*Percentages are for the most common type of NSCLC called adenocarcinoma.
DETECTIVE BIO:
If an EGFR biomarker is found in your lung cancer through biomarker testing, you and your doctor may discuss a treatment plan that specifically targets it.
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Blood Test*
Tissue Test
*Used to determine biomarkers in stage 4 lung cancer.
Biomarker testing can help your doctor determine your treatment options.
DETECTIVE BIO:
That’s why biomarker testing is a key step in your complete diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, make sure to ask your doctor about biomarker testing. It’s okay to ask.
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Ask your doctor about biomarker testing
It’s okay to ask.
DETECTIVE BIO:
For more information, visit TreatYourLungCancer.com
TEXT ON SCREEN:
For more information, visit TreatYourLungCancer.com
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