Cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2

On June 1, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.) using plasma specimens as a companion diagnostic test for the detection of exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations in the epidermal growth factor recptor (EGFR) gene to identify patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) eligible for treatment with Tarceva® (erlotinib).  The cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 is already approved for this indication using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens.  The new use is for detection of these specific mutations in circulating-free tumor DNA (cfDNA) isolated from plasma specimens, also called liquid biopsy specimens, to aid physicians in identifying patients who may be treated first with TARCEVA (erlotinib).  This is the first “liquid biopsy test” approved for use by FDA. This new test may benefit patients who may be too ill or are otherwise unable to provide a tumor specimen for EGFR testing.  Patients positive by cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 using plasma specimens for the presence of EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations are candidates for treatment with Tarceva (erlotinib). Patients who are negative by this test should undergo routine biopsy and testing for EGFR mutations with the FFPE tissue sample type.