Advanced lung cancer and molecular testing in the middle of coronavirus disease 2019 second wave in the South Asian association for regional cooperation region

Abstract

Objectives: We present the survey data on molecular testing and its implications among lung cancer specialists in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. Material and Methods: An online survey Google form was developed that could be completed in <5 min. This was circulated to oncologists who had been actively participated in our academic activities and this data were collected over an 11 day period in November 2020. Results: We had 354 responders from 8 SAARC countries, 58.9% (209/354) being medical oncologists, and 30.1% (107/354) radiation oncologists. Nearly 50% of responders were seeing patients in the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 and 89% had seen reduction in their lung cancer patients during first wave. Biomarker testing in advanced lung cancer using next-generation sequencing as the preferred method was more among medical oncologists (76%) as compared to all the other specialists (24%); (Pearson Chi-square = 0.006). The practice of waiting for the molecular testing report before starting first line treatment was 55.4% in corporate/private hospitals as compared to 27% in the government/charity hospital sectors (Pearson Chi-square = 0.015). A total of 89.6% responders believed that targeted therapy has resulted in improved overall survival in advanced lung cancer. Conclusion: Educational activities need to be strengthened so that lung cancer specialists follow comprehensive NGS testing in appropriate settings, as shown by medical oncologists