Dr. Chung on the Importance of Genomic Testing in Pancreatic Cancer

Vincent Chung, MD, associate clinical professor, Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, director of the Phase I Program, City of Hope, discusses the importance of genomic testing in pancreatic cancer.

While actionable mutations are rare in patients with advanced disease, there are targeted agents that are approved for use in the space, explains Chung. For example, larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) was approved in November 2018 for the treatment of patients with solid tumors who harbor an NTRK fusion.

Additionally, immunotherapy should be considered for the 1% to 2% of patients with pancreatic cancer who have microsatellite instability—high disease, says Chung.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend that patients with advanced pancreatic cancer undergo genomic testing. Moreover, all patients with pancreatic cancer should receive germline testing, concludes Chung.