Optimized precision oncology through implementation of a comprehensive molecular analysis pipeline – relevance for additional therapeutic options
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Personalized medicine is guided by an expanding array of molecular targets. This study investigates whether larger next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panels (> 1 Mb) yield more clinically relevant therapy options in molecular tumor boards (MTB) compared to smaller panels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 281 consecutive patients using a 430-gene DNA panel (1.3 Mb) combined with a RNA-fusion panel and compared the findings to a 185-gene DNA panel (618 kb). RESULTS: Molecular alterations were detected in 97.2 % of tumors with either oncogenic variants and/or gene fusions. Among these, 170 (60.5 %) received a molecular-stratified therapy recommendation from the local MTB. Only 8.8 % depended on the expanded 430-gene DNA panel, and additionally identified actionable variants in five additional genes. High TMB alone enabled 4.1 % of MTB recommendations. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that sufficient genomic coverage in DNA panels is essential for reliable TMB calculation, defining a minimal standard for genomic cancer care.
Source: Cancer Genetics
Authors: Nuwar Harb, Marcel Romey, Albert Grass, Florentin von Kügelgen, Akira Hattesohl, Jonas A. Schäfer, Lukas Frey, Elisabeth Mack, Anja Rinke, Cornelia Brendel, Niklas Gremke, Martin Gschnell, Marvin Görg, Charis Faoro, Jorge Riera-Knorrenschild, Sonja Gehring, Anne-Sophie Litmeyer, Elisabeth Maurer, Sebastian Adeberg, Nadine Frickel, Ursula Keber, Christopher Nimsky, Steffen Ruchholtz, Detlef K. Bartsch, Andreas Burchert, Gernot Rohde, Boris A. Stuck, Christer Groeben, Thomas M Gress, Christian Wilhelm, Jörg Hoffmann, Fiona Rodepeter, Uwe Wagner, Andreas Neubauer, Moritz Jesinghaus, Thomas Wündisch, Carsten Denkert, Julia Teply-Szymanski
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,320
OpenAlex ID: W7148729578