Has anyone had genetic testing done on their tumors to see if they were a fit for immunotherapy?

MyLungCancer

I have been told that we might do immunotherapy, and testing would be done. No further instructions or descriptions were given at the time. It was just a possible lane at the time but now it might be where we go. I'm just curious about what's involved, how they test, etc. Is it a biopsy on the tumor again?

LiveWithCancer

I got Opdivo through a clinical trial. However, when I had progression and had to come off of the trial, we did genetic testing on my tumors to see if I had (1) any mutations and (2) what the burden of PDL-1 cells were ... we were looking at another trial for me to join.

I can't recommend strongly enough that you go with genetic testing. It had been quite some time since I had had a biopsy so I did have a new one (I had a tumor in my supraclavicle so getting cells was easy). Then, they just send them off and certain labs look for all sorts of mutations.

If you have mutations for which there are drugs, they'll put you on targeted therapy right away. Or, if your PDL1 burden is high enough, maybe they'll choose immunotherapy (which can work even if your PDL1 burden is NOT over 50% but it isn't as likely).

Good luck! I would request that testing ASAP.

2943

It is a biopsy of tumor. It will show makeup of tumor helping give info for best treatment fit. My tumor was 80% for PDL1 and REALLY responded to immunotherapy. Go for it!

wmsavs

I can't over-emphasize what my previous two contributors recommended. @LiveWithCancer suggested this path for my wife's cancer and we've been thankful ever since. As stated by the contributors, they simply use your biopsy to determine a genetic makeup and the probability of success as a potential candidate for being administered immunotherapy. My wife has been getting Keytruda and initially received two chemo drugs- Alimta and Carboplatin to complete those cycles.