BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need to identify molecular signatures in @entity151 ( @entity151 ) that may select @entity1 who are likely to respond to molecularly targeted therapies. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of undertaking focused molecular analyses on routine diagnostic biopsies in @entity1 with @entity151 . METHODS: A series of histopathologically confirmed @entity406 -fixed, @entity982 -embedded @entity151 specimens were analysed for @entity470 ( @entity470 ), @entity984 , @entity8497 and @entity817 mutations, @entity7041 gene rearrangements and MET amplification. @entity470 and @entity984 mutation testing was evaluated using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR cobas(  )), @entity817 and @entity8497 mutations using multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis-single strand conformation analysis, and @entity7041 and MET aberrations with fluorescent in situ hybridization. All genetic aberrations detected were validated independently. RESULTS: A total of 105 @entity1 diagnosed with @entity151 between July 1990 and September 2006 were included. 60 (57  %) @entity1 had suitable @entity5 tissue for molecular testing. 25 @entity1 were successfully evaluated for all six pre-defined molecular aberrations. Eleven @entity1 failed all molecular analysis. No mutations in @entity470 , @entity984 and @entity8497 were detected, and no @entity7041 gene rearrangements or MET gene amplifications were identified. A @entity8554 substitution in @entity817 was detected in a Caucasian male smoker diagnosed with @entity151 with squamoid and glandular features. CONCLUSION: The paucity of @entity1 with sufficient @entity5 tissue, quality of DNA extracted and low frequency of aberrations detected indicate that alternative molecular characterisation approaches are necessary, such as the use of circulating plasma DNA in @entity1 with @entity151 .

Focused molecular analysis of XXXX : feasibility in routine clinical practice.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity7041 :: ('238', 'Gene') :: ['ALK'] @entity470 :: ('1956', 'Gene') :: ['epidermal growth factor receptors', 'EGFR'] @entity984 :: ('3845', 'Gene') :: ['KRAS'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumour'] @entity406 :: ('MESH:D005557', 'Chemical') :: ['formalin'] @entity982 :: ('MESH:D010232', 'Chemical') :: ['paraffin'] @entity817 :: ('673', 'Gene') :: ['BRAF'] @entity8554 :: ('p|SUB|V|600|E', 'ProteinMutation') :: ['V600E'] @entity8497 :: ('4893', 'Gene') :: ['NRAS'] @entity151 :: ('MESH:D055752', 'Disease') :: ['SCLC', 'small cell lung cancer']
@entity151 :: (MESH:D055752,Disease) :: ['small cell lung cancer']
