ASCO Endorses CAP/IASLC/AMP Guideline on Molecular Testing for Lung Cancer

EGFR

ALK

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today issued an endorsement of the joint College of American Pathologists (CAP)/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) clinical practice guideline on molecular testing for selection of patients with lung cancer for therapies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). The guideline defines which patients should be offered and genetic testing, and when and how such testing should be performed. ASCO's endorsement provides doctors much-needed direction in a rapidly moving field.

"This guideline is incredibly important, as it increases the ability to personalize lung cancer care and improve outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer," said Natasha B. Leighl, MD, MSc, co-chair of ASCO's Expert Panel that endorsed the guideline. "It describes the current evidence and helps oncologists and pathologists understand and put molecular testing into clinical practice."

Link to ASCO's press release: http://bit.ly/1r1F1XL

Link to the guidelines published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology in 2013: http://bit.ly/1o8Wzql