Biomarker Testing for Guiding Precision Medicine for Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The initial management of patients with lung cancer is growing more complex in the context of an expanding number of precision medicine treatments. These challenges are accompanied by opportunities to deliver more efficacious and less toxic treatments to patients. Indications for these treatments are also expanding and patients with lung cancer across multiple stages now require biomarker testing. Given their role in the initial management of patients being diagnosed with lung cancer, pulmonologists must have fundamental knowledge regarding the importance, indications, and implications of biomarker testing across the spectrum of histology and stage. The purpose of this review is to provide fundamental knowledge regarding biomarker testing, its incorporation into the initial diagnostic and staging evaluation, and guidance for working within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve timely and comprehensive biomarker testing to direct the use of precision medicine treatments.