Testing for NRG1 Fusions - The Series

This series of digital engagements highlights how targeting pathogenic gene fusions can improve patient outcomes:

• The clinical utility of NRG1 fusions as a poor prognostic factor across tumor types, exploring NRG1+ tumors’ metastatic potential and histological features
• Testing for NRG1 fusions in cancer patients, focusing on the importance of targeted NGS approaches and RNA-based NGS

As we conclude this series, catch-up on various activities so far:

• Delve into the molecular biology of NRG1 fusions and explore its clinical relevance
• Listen to Dr Pranil Chandra discuss the clinical utility of NRG1 fusions and how to test for them using targeted NGS approaches and RNA-based NGS during the Lab Talk "Testing for NRG1 fusions: The new kid on the block of actionable pathogenic gene fusions"
• Learn key insights about RNA-NGS (RNA-based Next-Generation Sequencing) and its importance in detecting pathogenic NRG1 fusions
• Download the FAQs from the series and the slides from the Lab Talk. These can be printed for ease of reference.

The first Lab Alert shed light on pathogenic gene fusions and the significant clinical utility of NRG1 fusions as key actionable pathogenic gene fusions which have been identified across many tumor types. The message highlighted the importance of comprehensive testing with RNA-based NGS being the optimal methodology to capture pathogenic gene fusions.

This was followed by a Lab Talk with Dr Pranil Chandra, DO (Senior Vice President, Chief Genomics Officer, PathGroup), exploring NRG1 fusions - The new kid on the block of actionable pathogenic gene fusions. To further support labs in NRG1 fusions testing Dr Chandra discussed how to properly test for NRG1 fusions in cancer patients, focusing on targeted NGS approaches and RNA-based NGS.

The final Lab Alert highlights the key takeaways:

• Pathogenic gene fusions are important therapeutic targets, and detecting them can improve patient outcomes.
• RNA-NGS (RNA-based Next-Generation Sequencing) is more effective than DNA-only NGS in identifying actionable gene fusions.
• Clinical guidelines (e.g., ESMO, ASCO) recommend RNA-NGS for detecting gene fusions, including NTRK fusions, due to its superior sensitivity.
• NRG1 fusions are emerging as actionable targets linked to poor prognosis, highlighting the importance of comprehensive RNA and DNA profiling.
• Utilizing both RNA-NGS and DNA-NGS together enhances the detection of structural variants, providing expanded therapeutic opportunities for patients.

Thank you for joining us throughout the series!

Download the NRG1 fusions testing FAQs.

If you have any questions on this series or would like to learn more about the DXRX Network, contact help@dxrx.io.