Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Lung Biomarker Study
The majority of lung cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages when prognosis is poor, resulting in a 5-year survival rate of 4%. However, this may change as molecular biomarker testing of advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors allow for the identification of actionable genomic abnormalities. Treating NSCLC patients with specific targeted therapies may significantly improve survival outcomes. The long-term goal of this research is to improve the use of biomarker testing for all patients with advanced NSCLC. The objective of this pilot project is to explore disparities in biomarker testing. Our results will fill a knowledge gap in understanding how molecular biomarker testing is being used in a population setting and if these advancements in care are potentially widening disparities.