Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for
Brain Tumors/Cancers
Your Tumor Is Unique. Understanding Its Genetic Profile May Reveal More Treatment Options.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is an advanced form of molecular testing that looks for genetic changes within a tumor. These changes — sometimes called biomarkers, mutations, or gene alterations — can provide important information about how a tumor behaves and, in some cases, help identify treatment options specifically targeted to its molecular characteristics.
For people diagnosed with a brain tumor/cancer, understanding the tumor's molecular profile can be an important part of exploring all available treatment options.
Download the Complete NGS Patient & Caregiver GuideWhat Is Next-Generation Sequencing?
Every brain tumor is different — even tumors with the same diagnosis can have very different genetic characteristics.
Think of your tumor's DNA as a very long instruction manual. NGS allows a laboratory to analyze many parts of that instruction manual at once, looking for genetic changes that may be influencing how the tumor grows and behaves.
Depending on the type of testing performed, NGS may identify hundreds of cancer-related genes and different types of molecular alterations within a single test.
NGS can help your care team better understand:
- The molecular characteristics of your tumor
- Biomarkers or genetic alterations that may help refine your diagnosis
- Whether a targeted treatment may be relevant
- Whether your molecular profile may match the eligibility requirements for a clinical trial
Why Is NGS Important for Brain Tumor/Cancer Patients?
Traditionally, cancer treatment has been based largely on where a cancer started and how it appears under a microscope.
Precision medicine adds another important layer: what is happening at the molecular level inside the tumor.
NGS can provide information that may help your healthcare team make more informed treatment decisions and identify opportunities that might not be apparent from the diagnosis alone.
One Test May Open More Doors
NGS results may help identify:
Targeted Treatment Options
Some genetic alterations can be targeted by therapies designed to interfere with a specific molecular change or pathway involved in tumor growth.
Clinical Trial Opportunities
Many clinical trials now enroll patients based partly on biomarkers or genetic alterations found within their tumors. NGS may help identify trials for which a patient could potentially qualify.
More Precise Tumor Classification
Molecular information is increasingly important in accurately classifying brain tumors and understanding their biology.
From Genetic Finding to Targeted Treatment
Not every genetic alteration identified through NGS has a treatment associated with it. However, when an actionable biomarker or alteration is discovered, it may give the care team additional avenues to explore.
That could include:
NGS Testing → Molecular Finding → Treatment Discussion → Targeted Therapy and/or Clinical Trial Opportunity
Depending on the finding, potential options may include an FDA-approved therapy for the patient's diagnosis, another treatment considered appropriate by the healthcare team, or a clinical trial studying a therapy directed at that particular molecular alteration.
This is why knowing the molecular profile of a brain tumor can be so important: you can't explore a treatment opportunity based on a genetic alteration if you don't know the alteration is there.
An Important Question: How Comprehensive Was Your Testing?
Not all NGS tests look for the same things.
Some tests analyze a relatively small group of genes, while comprehensive genomic profiling can examine hundreds of cancer-related genes and multiple types of genetic alterations.
Gene fusions are particularly important to understand. Some fusions may provide potential treatment or clinical trial opportunities, but not every NGS test automatically includes the type of testing needed to detect them.
Patients and caregivers may want to ask:
- Has NGS or comprehensive molecular profiling been performed on my tumor?
- What biomarkers or genetic alterations were identified?
- Did my testing include gene fusion detection?
- Could any of my results be associated with a targeted treatment?
- Are there clinical trials that match my tumor's molecular profile?
Learn More About NGS
There is much more to understand about NGS, comprehensive genomic profiling, gene fusion testing, targeted therapies, clinical trials, testing access, and questions to discuss with your care team.
Download the EBCI Patient & Caregiver Guide: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Fusion Testing & Targeted Therapy for Brain Tumors/Cancers. The guide provides more detailed information to help patients and caregivers understand personalized medicine, why a tumor's genetic profile matters, and how to access NGS testing.
Download the Complete NGS Patient & Caregiver GuideNeed Help Understanding Your Options?
You don't have to navigate molecular testing and clinical trial options on your own.
EBCI Patient & Resource Navigators can help patients and caregivers better understand NGS results, explore testing resources, identify potential clinical trial opportunities, and prepare questions to discuss with their healthcare team.
Shreya Prakash
4235-444-2215
shreya@endbraincancer.org
This information is intended for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Patients should discuss testing results and treatment decisions with their qualified healthcare provider.
