ROS1 Fusions in NSCLC: Detection Methods for the Clinical Laboratory
This review covers ROS1 gene rearrangements found in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancers and other tumours, and the laboratory methods for their detection including FISH, real-time PCR, sequencing, and immunohistochemistry. ROS1 fusion-positive status qualifies patients for crizotinib therapy following FDA approval, making accurate laboratory testing essential for treatment decisions. The paper provides practical guidance for implementing ROS1 testing in clinical diagnostic workflows.
The original study
ROS1 [corrected].
- Authors
- Pal P, Khan Z
- Journal
- Journal of clinical pathology
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 28903995
Original abstract
ROS1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has recently been shown to undergo gene rearrangements in~1%-2% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and in a variety of other tumours including cholangiocarcinoma, gastric carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma and in spitzoid neoplasms, glioblastoma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours. The ROS1 gene fusion undergoes constitutive activation, regulates cellular proliferation and is implicated in carcinogenesis. ROS1 fusions can be detected by fluorescence in situ hybridisation, real-time PCR, sequencing-based techniques and immunohistochemistry-based methods in clinical laboratories. The small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, crizotinib has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of ROS1 and has received Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of advanced NSCLC. The current review is an update on the clinical findings and detection methods of ROS1 in clinical laboratories in NSCLC and other tumours.