VANCOUVER, Feb. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Research shows the genetic make-up of a tumour can have a big impact on how a patient will respond to different treatment options.

In the most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), clinical trials have shown that people whose tumours exhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation often respond better to certain targeted therapies, which can lead to better outcomes.

Approximately 10-20 per cent of all lung cancer cases have the EGFR gene mutation.i

Research also indicates that 45 per cent of Asians with NSCLC have the EGFR gene mutation,ii making genetic mutation testing in lung cancer even more relevant in BC where 12 per cent of the population is of East Asian descent.iii

East Asian, non-smoking women are at particular risk. One study showed 80 per cent of never-smoking Asian women with non-small cell lung cancer had EGFR gene mutations.iv

The BC Cancer Agency is at the forefront of lung cancer genetic testing. EGFR testing is a standard of care that is offered at the BC Cancer Agency for patients that fit the criteria.

Experts are gathering at the annual Canadian Lung Cancer Conference from February 7-8 in Vancouver to discuss EGFR mutation testing in lung cancer, among other issues that could improve patient outcomes.

Quotes:

Dr. Barbara Melosky, Chair of the Canadian Lung Cancer Conference, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Medical Oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency

"Although lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer, with proper testing you can treat it quite effectively.

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Lung cancer patients can benefit from genetic testing

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