MicroRNA panel provides a more precise lung cancer diagnosis

A test based on a panel of microRNAs under development by Rosetta Genomics Ltd, in Israel, may allow for more precise diagnosis and better targeted therapy for patients with lung cancer.

Lung cancers are traditionally divided into two main groups, either neuroendocrine or non-small cell lung cancer. In 20 to 30% of the cases it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of the tumour subtype using fine needle biopsy.

Subclassification has become very important in the determination of patient management as this leads to treatment decisions, so it is very important to make the diagnosis accurately.

Using the proprietary assay, which is still under development, researchers were able to further subclassify non-small cell lung cancer into squamous and non-squamous, and neuroendocrine into small cell lung cancer and carcinoid with a high level of sensitivity and specificity.

This assay could result in better treatment decisions because not all subtypes of lung cancer will respond to certain drugs and some may even pose unique risks.