Consensus of Chinese experts on hot issues in genetic testing of advanced breast cancer (2021 edition) / 中华肿瘤杂志

ABSTRACT

Advanced breast cancer is a complicated disease with poor prognosis, which is difficult for salvage treatment. Although advanced breast cancer is difficult to cure at present, we can improve the life quality and prolong survival time of patients by applying optimized treatment. In recent years, with the rapid development of molecular biology and gene testing technology, studies on advanced breast cancer continue to deepen. Gene targeted therapy significantly extends the survival time of patients with advanced breast cancer. Gene testing is one of the important means for molecular typing, genetic diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, drug resistance, and treatment choice of breast cancer, which is of great significance for the selection of targeted drugs and the management plan. In this consensus, the Expert Committee summarized ten hot issues of gene testing for advanced breast cancer and discussed the applicable population, clinical significance, and the application of molecular markers circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), whole exome sequencing (WES) in different molecular types, and the standardization of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology applied in clinic. This consensus aimed to guide clinicians how to rationally apply the gene testing to know more comprehensive genetic testing information, and formulate more precise treatment strategies for patients with advanced breast cancer.