HKU programme offers free comprehensive genomic profiling tests to NSCLC patients

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has launched a precision oncology programme in partnership with public and private stakeholders to provide free comprehensive genomic profiling tests to 1,800 eligible patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Hong Kong. Initial data from the programme revealed less common mutations amenable to treatment with targeted therapies in a sizeable proportion of patients.

“Among the first 152 patients recruited, we found gene mutations other than the three [most] common targets in more than 30 percent of patients,” said Dr Anne Lee, Specialist in Clinical Oncology of HKU Health System, on the occasion of the programme’s launch in October 2022.

According to latest analysis of data from 155 patients, the less common mutations included TP53 (n=96; 61.9 percent), CDKN2A/B (n=32; 20.6 percent), KRAS (n=27; 17.4 percent), STK11 (n=23; 14.8 percent), NTRK (n=14; 9.0 percent), BRAF (n=13; 8.4 percent), KEAP1 (n=13; 8.4 percent), NF1 (n=13; 8.4 percent), HER2 (n=12; 7.7 percent), MET (n=9; 5.8 percent), RBM10 (n=6; 3.9 percent), and NF2 (n=3; 1.9 percent). No AKT2 mutation was identified.

These patients have started treatment with targeted therapies based on the predominant gene mutations identified, according to a spokesperson of HKU’s Department of Clinical Oncology.

As of 15 November 2022, a total of 345 patients were enrolled into the programme. Recruitment is ongoing, targeting patients recently diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC who plan to receive treatment for their disease. Enrolled patients will be offered comprehensive genomic profiling tests followed by treatment at one of the seven oncology centres under the Hospital Authority (ie, Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, United Christian Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital).

Launched with support from the Innovation & Technology Commission of the Hong Kong government and Roche Hong Kong Limited, the programme represents the largest to collect real-world data on lung cancer in Hong Kong.

In addition to more precisely defining the genomic landscape of NSCLC patients in Hong Kong, which helps refine personalized therapy and improve treatment outcomes, data collected in the programme will also form a large database to help design better treatment paradigms for NSCLC in the future.

The programme’s tentative recruitment deadline is 19 June 2023. Interested parties may contact HKU’s Department of Clinical Oncology at 9500 2757 or nsclcgen@hku.hk for enquiries, or complete a simple online survey at https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2uaYUC68UQ2VUCG to join.

Comprehensive genomic profiling, which can simultaneously analyze more than 300 gene mutations to identify targets for treatment, is increasingly used to guide treatment decisions for cancer patients. As of 11 September 2022, 10 companion diagnostic tests were approved by the US FDA for 23 NSCLC drugs or regimens. [https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/list-cleared-or-approved-companion-diagnostic-devices-in-vitro-and-imaging-tools#CDx_Table]