Recommendations for reporting tissue and circulating tumour (ct)DNA next-generation sequencing results in non-small cell lung cancer

British Journal of Cancer, vol. 131, pp. 212–219

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease and molecular characterisation plays an important role in its clinical management. Next-generation sequencing-based panel testing enables many molecular alterations to be interrogated simultaneously, allowing for comprehensive identification of actionable oncogenic drivers (and co-mutations) and appropriate matching of patients with targeted therapies. Despite consensus in international guidelines on the importance of broad molecular profiling, adoption of next-generation sequencing varies globally. One of the barriers to its successful implementation is a lack of accepted standards and guidelines specifically for the reporting and clinical annotation of next-generation sequencing results. Based on roundtable discussions between pathologists and oncologists, we provide best practice recommendations for the reporting of next-generation sequencing results in non-small cell lung cancer to facilitate its use and enable easy interpretation for physicians. These are intended to complement existing guidelines related to the use of next-generation sequencing (solid and liquid). Here, we discuss next-generation sequencing workflows, the structure of next-generation sequencing reports, and our recommendations for best practice thereof. The aim of these recommendations and considerations is ultimately to ensure that reports are fully interpretable, and that the most appropriate treatment options are selected based on robust molecular profiles in well-defined reports.

Authors 16

1. Umberto Malapelle

   University of Naples Federico II

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

2. Natasha B. Leighl

   University Health Network · University of Toronto · Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

3. Alfredo Addeo

   University Hospital of Geneva

   Affiliation as printed

   Oncology Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

4. Dov Hershkovitz

   Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

5. Maximilian Johannes Hochmair
   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Karl Landsteiner Institute of Lung Research & Pulmonary Oncology, Klinik Floridsdorf, Vienna, Austria

6. Ola Khorshid

   Cairo University

   Affiliation as printed

   National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

7. Florian Peter Länger

   Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

8. Filippo de Marinis

   European Institute of Oncology

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Thoracic Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy

9. Nir Peled

   Shaare Zedek Medical Center · Bikur Cholim Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Helmesely Cancer Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

10. Brandon S. Sheffield

    William Osler Health System

    Affiliation as printed

    Division of Advanced Diagnostics, William Osler Health System, Brampton, ON, Canada

11. Egbert Frederik Smit Aachen Department of Pulmonary Diseases

    Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

12. Santiago Viteri
    Affiliation as printed

    UOMI Cancer Center, Clínica Mi Tres Torres, Barcelona, Spain

13. Jürgen Wolf

    University Hospital Cologne

    Affiliation as printed

    Lung Cancer Group Cologne, Center for Integrated Oncology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

14. Filippo Venturini

    Merck Serono S.p.A. (Italy)

    Affiliation as printed

    Merck Serono S.p.A., Rome, Italy

15. Richard M. O'Hara

    EMD Serono, Inc. (United States)

    Affiliation as printed

    EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA

16. Christian Diego Rolfo corresponding

    Mount Sinai Health System · Tisch Cancer Institute · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai Medical System & Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. christian.rolfo@mssm.edu

    Center for Thoracic Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai Medical System & Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA