Could molecular pathology testing in lung cancer be more cost effective

摘要: Aims EGFR and ALK analysis is routinely undertaken prior to targeted treatment of non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Increasingly, limited resources require molecular pathology services be cost-effective without detriment patient care. Methods Data from an audit testing in the South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) network have been used explore different strategies with aim reducing costs; including investigation thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) expression as a negative predictor for mutations. Results TTF1 immunohistochemistry had high predictive value mutations (99%). Reflex all NSCLC, expected, highest costs, whereas limiting those who might considered would lead cost reduction only 7.5%; however, serial model could save 32.7%. Conclusions Testing patients being inhibitors represented small savings; more significant savings achievable if algorithms known associations between clinical biomarkers.