Lung cancer is a common cancer type with the highest number of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent. Thanks to new insights into mutations in so-called driver genes, the treatment of lung cancer has significantly changed. Where standard treatment with chemotherapy was offered to all patients previously, there is now an increasing focus on personalized targeted therapies. This therapy is known for better outcomes with fewer side effects compared to classical chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In the Netherlands, it is therefore recommended to test patients with advanced NSCLC for ten important mutations to determine the best treatment option.
This thesis of Betzabel Cajiao Garcia investigated how often and how well molecular diagnostic in NSCLC is performed in practice. Although testing rates have increased, there is still room for improvement. The rising testing rates for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and RET genes demonstrated that molecular diagnostics is becoming standard practice in the Netherlands. In addition, the study demonstrated that new testing methods are increasingly being used and contribute to better diagnostics.
The study also helped to identify bottlenecks that impact testing rates in the northern region of the Netherlands, such as the availability of tumor tissue and logistical challenges. This thesis demonstrated that enabling collaboration between healthcare providers, the quality of molecular diagnostics can be further improved. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that most Dutch lung cancer patients currently have access to personalized care to increase their chances of survival, but that there is still room for improvement.
