IASLC 2017: IASLC Releases New Atlas of EGFR Testing
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) released its Atlas of EGFR Testing in Lung Cancer at the IASLC 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Yokohama, Japan.
The EGFR Atlas provides health-care professionals with information on EGFR testing processes and facilitates clinicians’ understanding of how to interpret the results. The Atlas also includes a summary of relevant clinical data that supports the use of EGFR testing in patients with special cases. The guidebook is the first version of the EGFR Testing Atlas, but the third in an atlas series, which also includes the ALK/ROS1 and PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1) Testing Atlas.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) testing is primarily used to help guide treatment and to determine whether a patient with non–small cell lung cancer may benefit from targeted therapy. The testing detects the presence of specific activating mutations in the EGFR gene in the DNA of tumor cells, which can lead to uncontrolled growth of cancer cells.
The guidebook provides oncological pathologists, clinicians, and other health-care professionals with comprehensive information on a variety of EGFR testing topics, from tumor sample best practices to reporting and quality assurance. By sharing this important educational material globally, the Atlas is intended to improve the quality of lung cancer patient care across the globe, therefore improving and prolonging the lives of patients.
“Because the use of EGFR testing is growing rapidly, this Atlas is a critical tool to ensure best practices worldwide,” said David Carbone, MD, PhD, Fred Hirsch, MD, PhD, and Tony Mok, MD, editors of the guide. “The IASLC is committed to developing and implementing global standards that make it possible for all lung cancer patients, regardless of where they live, to receive the best possible care. This guide empowers health-care professionals to utilize EGFR testing to create better outcomes for their patients.”
The Atlas was first made available in English to attendees at the World Conference, but is also now available in PDF form on the IASLC website in English, Japanese, and Chinese. The Atlas will soon be available in Portuguese, Spanish, and Korean, and available in print on the IASLC website and on the conference mobile app.
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
