Which Biomarkers Matter for You and Why
What is Biomarker Testing?
Biomarker testing helps your care team match targeted therapy or immunotherapy drugs to the specific subtype of cancer you have. Biomarkers provide your doctor with a detailed blueprint of your tumor, which helps identify the treatments that are most likely to work best for you.
How the Test Works
- Sample Collection: A sample of your cancer is collected from your blood, bodily fluids, or tissue taken during a surgery or biopsy.
- Lab Analysis: Your sample is sent to a specialized lab to look for specific genes, proteins, or other biological markers.
- Treatment Guidance: Your doctor uses the blueprint from your results to build a personalized treatment plan.
Understanding Your Results
Biomarkers are often referred to by 3- or 4-letter abbreviations. Common examples include HER2 in breast cancer or EGFR in lung cancer.
- A positive test result (such as HER2+ or EGFR+) means the lab found a specific genetic or protein alteration driving the cancer's growth.
- Knowing this allows your doctor to prescribe a drug designed to target that specific vulnerability.
Biomarker testing is also called molecular testing, tumor profiling, somatic testing, or genomic testing of cancer cells. When it is called for, biomarker testing can help identify the best treatment. It can also determine if you are eligible for clinical trials.
A Personalized Tool for Patients and Caregivers
Use this tool to learn which biomarker tests and results may matter for your cancer care. Answer the questions based on the cancer you are being treated for now. This may be a new diagnosis, cancer that has come back, or cancer that has spread to another part of the body.