The Role of Molecular Testing in Ovarian Cancer Care
Panelists discuss how molecular testing strategies prioritize BRCA and HRD status at diagnosis while incorporating folate receptor alpha and other biomarkers in the recurrent setting to guide treatment decisions and clinical trial eligibility.
Role of Biomarker Testing in Ovarian Cancer
Comprehensive biomarker testing in ovarian cancer is essential for personalized treatment planning. At diagnosis, BRCA1/2 germline and somatic testing, along with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and HER2 status, are prioritized. In the recurrent setting, folate receptor alpha expression and additional markers like NTRK and RET fusions are reassessed for therapy eligibility.
There is a trend toward conducting next-generation sequencing (NGS) earlier in the disease course to support clinical trial enrollment and optimize front-line therapy. Institutions increasingly send tumors for upfront NGS to identify actionable targets sooner. This strategic shift enhances future treatment flexibility and ensures patients remain candidates for emerging therapies.
Although certain targeted therapies are not yet FDA-approved for first-line use, having early biomarker data allows for better long-term planning. There is growing interest in whether biomarkers like folate receptor alpha expression change over time, with some practitioners rechecking them in the recurrent setting to widen treatment or trial options.
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