A study of 5,000 patients found genetic profiling of lung tumours boosted survival rates through better targeting of chemotherapy drugs. The findings, reported in Science Translational Medicine, pave the way for personalised medicine.
A team led by Dr Roman Thomas, of the Max Planck Research Group in Cologne, Germany, carried out genetic testing on lung tumour samples from about 5,000 patients to spot genetic differences in lung cancer cells.
Patients who received therapy based on genetic profiling of their tumours had a better prognosis, the study revealed.
Diagnostic genetic testing of lung cancer, combined with tailored treatment, may improve patient survival in the future, say the researchers.
Read the full, original story here: Genetic testing raises hope for lung cancer treatments