RNA-based next-generation sequencing in non-small-cell lung cancer in a routine setting: an experience from an Italian referral center.

, ,  and gene fusions and exon 14 skipping alterations represent novel predictive biomarkers for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, testing patients for these genetic variants is crucial for choosing the best selective treatment. Over the last couple of decades, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have emerged as an extremely useful tool for detecting these variants. In the present study, we report our NGS molecular records produced during a year of diagnostic activity. Overall, our in-house developed NGS workflow successfully analyzed n = 116/131 (88.5%) NSCLC samples. Of these, eight (6.8%) and five (4.3%) out of 116 patients harbored and gene rearrangements, respectively: one case harbored gene fusion (0.7%). Our results highlight that an RNA-based NGS analysis can reliably detect gene fusion alterations, thereby playing a pivotal role in the management of NSCLC patients.