Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is when all of the genes in a tumor are tested for genomic mutations. For people with metastatic breast cancer, the goal of NGS is to see if their tumor has any specific mutations that can be targeted with an already-approved therapy or with a therapy being studied in clinical trials. The underlying belief is that using targeted therapies for specific genomic mutations will increase survival and quality of life for metastatic breast cancer patients.
Below you can find articles defining NGS, discussing if NGS improves survival and quality of life, and the ESMO recommendations regarding NGS for patients with metastatic cancers (including breast).
- Broad Molecular Profiling Tests This article from Breastcancer.org defines NGS, delves into the different types of genetic mutations within a tumor and lists the types of NGS tests currently available.
- Genetic vs. Genomic Testing by Metastatic Trial Talk.
- NGS Should Be Administrated for All Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Cancer In an interview with OncLive, Dr. Lincoln Nadauld suggests that NGS helps oncologists choose appropriate targeted therapies, immunotherapies and clinical trials.
- Clinical Trials Studying Targeted Therapies for Advanced (Stage IV and Some Stage III) Breast Cancer
