Biomarkers can be important

IN DETERMINING MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR LATE-STAGE LUNG CANCER

Biomarkers may provide clues that guide doctors in choosing the best path forward for each patient based on their unique cancer profile.

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What is a

Biomarker?

In cancer, a biomarker is a change in the cells of your body. Biomarkers are a source of information that gives your doctor a better understanding of your cancer. This information is important to researchers, too, who are helping create new medicines to fight disease.

Biomarkers fall into 3 main categories:

Icon of a scientific microscope.

Diagnostic

These are biological signals that can indicate the presence of cancer and identify which
type it is.

White test tube with liquid filled up halfway.

Prognostic

These biomarkers can help determine how aggressive a cancer may be and its potential to spread.

Beaker icon.

Predictive

These biomarkers can help identify which treatments may be effective against a specific cancer.

Non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC) biomarkers

NSCLC biomarkers can be found in or on cancer cells. There are several key changes doctors look for to identify them, such as:

Genetic Changes

These are changes that happen inside a cell’s nucleus, within the DNA.

KRAS mutations 


       EGFR mutations 


               BRAF mutations

Illustration of a DNA strand representing gene mutations associated with lung cancer.

ALK rearrangements

METex14 skipping mutations


Emerging biomarker

  • MET gene amplification

Protein Expression Changes

These changes are usually found on the cell’s surface or inside the cell’s main body, but not in its core (the nucleus).

PD-L1 protein overexpression

An illustration of a protein overexpression which can lead to cancer.

c-Met protein overexpression

Emerging biomarkers 

  • Trophoblast cell surface
    antigen 2 (Trop-2)

The biomarkers listed are not exhaustive, since more are being discovered through research.
Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments specifically targeting the emerging biomarkers listed above.

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Know Your

Biomarker Status

Because cancer can mutate, new biomarkers can develop over time. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for biomarkers throughout your cancer experience.

Click here for the Biomarker Conversation Guide, which can help you start the conversation and ask some key questions.

What should I know about MET ABERRATIONS?

MET is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein that acts like a switch in our cells. This protein helps control processes like cell growth and survival.

Cells with MET aberrations are considered “drivers,” which can contribute to the growth and spread of NSCLC and may affect how the cancer responds to certain therapies.

There are 3 identified MET aberrations:

MET amplification:

There are extra copies of the MET gene

METex14 skipping mutations: 

Part of the MET gene called exon 14 is missing

c-Met protein overexpression:

There is an excess of the c-Met protein on the cell surface

MET amplification is an emerging biomarker, with no FDA-approved treatments at this time.

DISCUSS BIOMARKER TESTING WITH YOUR DOCTOR

KNOW WHY BIOMARKER TESTING MATTERS

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and empower yourself throughout your cancer experience