Predictive biomarkers play an important role in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Applied methods and technologies include molecular tests and immunohistochemistry. The latter is predominantly dedicated to the preselection of tumors for subsequent molecular analyses. Given the low prevalence of certain molecular subtypes, immunohistochemistry can contribute to a high efficacy of lung cancer diagnosis. Thus, immunohistochemistry plays a lasting and even increasing role in this context. Some assays allow a definitive predictive classification based on immunohistochemistry alone. Approval of novel therapeutics increases the number of immunohistochemistry-based predictive biomarkers. The high sensitivity of assays must be ensured by careful selection of diagnostic primary antibodies, thorough validation of staining protocols, and standardized evaluation and scoring.
Keywords: ALK; Biomarker; Lung cancer; NTRK; ROS1.