Setting Up an Ultra-Fast Next-Generation Sequencing Approach as Reflex Testing at Diagnosis of Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; Experience of a Single Center (LPCE, Nice, France)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Due to the increase of molecular biomarkers to be characterized to tailor therapeutic strategies for non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NS-NSCLC), it is now more and more challenging to evaluate these biomarkers using sequential analyses. We report here our experience concerning the development of an optimal workflow for genomic alteration assessment as reflex testing in routine clinical practice at diagnosis for NS-NSCLC patients by using an ultra-fast-next generation sequencing (NGS) approach. The analytical validation of the NGS workflow demonstrated 100% concordance with the gold standard methods. Only few cases failed for DNA/RNA NGS results. The mean turnaround time (TAT) was 72 h (ranging from 48 to 96 h). An ultra-fast NGS technique can maximize the management of the sample workflow in thoracic oncology to obtain the molecular biology results in an appropriate TAT, even when only a small amount of nucleic acids is available. ABSTRACT: The number of genomic alterations required for targeted therapy of non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC) patients has increased and become more complex these last few years. These molecular abnormalities lead to treatment that provides improvement in overall survival for certain patients. However, these treated tumors inexorably develop mechanisms of resistance, some of which can be targeted with new therapies. The characterization of the genomic alterations needs to be performed in a short turnaround time (TAT), as indicated by the international guidelines. The origin of the tissue biopsies used for the analyses is diverse, but their size is progressively decreasing due to the development of less invasive methods. In this respect, the pathologists are facing a number of different challenges requiring them to set up efficient molecular technologies while maintaining a strategy that allows rapid diagnosis. We report here our experience concerning the development of an optimal workflow for genomic alteration assessment as reflex testing in routine clinical practice at diagnosis for NS-NSCLC patients by using an ultra-fast-next generation sequencing approach (Ion Torrent Genexus Sequencer, Thermo Fisher Scientific). We show that the molecular targets currently available to personalized medicine in thoracic oncology can be identified using this system in an appropriate TAT, notably when only a small amount of nucleic acids is available. We discuss the new challenges and the perspectives of using such an ultra-fast NGS in daily practice.