Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region
<b>Background:</b> In the era of precision medicine, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an important tool for identifying targetable mutations and tailoring treatment options. Yet the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) lags behind in adopting this technology. This study aim...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1183 |
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| author | Rami Mahfouz Reine Abou Zeidane Tasnim Diab Ali Tarhini Eman Sbaity Houry Kazarian Yomna El Zibaoui Nour Sabiha Naji Mounir Barake Hazem I. Assi |
| author_facet | Rami Mahfouz Reine Abou Zeidane Tasnim Diab Ali Tarhini Eman Sbaity Houry Kazarian Yomna El Zibaoui Nour Sabiha Naji Mounir Barake Hazem I. Assi |
| author_sort | Rami Mahfouz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> In the era of precision medicine, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an important tool for identifying targetable mutations and tailoring treatment options. Yet the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) lags behind in adopting this technology. This study aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of molecular profiling in the region. <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective study reviewed cancer patients at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, comparing outcomes between those who received NGS-based treatment adjustments (NBTAs) and those who did not. <b>Results:</b> The study enrolled 180 patients, including those with non-small-cell lung cancer (21.2%), sarcomas (20%), gastrointestinal malignancies (23.3%), breast cancer (10.6%), and other cancers (24.9%); 58.3% had stage 4 cancer at diagnosis. Before molecular profiling, 20.6% had stable disease, 21.7% showed partial response, and 57.8% had progressive disease. Most (96%) had received treatment, mainly systemic (90%), with chemotherapy (89%) being the most common. Forty patients (22.2%) underwent NGS-based treatment adjustments (NBTAs). Post-NGS, targeted therapies increased from 35% to 43% and immunotherapies from 14% to 18%. Mutations were detected in 98% of patients, with a median of four mutations per patient. NBTA patients had a median overall survival of 59 months, compared to 23 months for non-NBTA patients (<i>p</i> = 0.096), and significantly improved progression-free survival (5.32 vs. 3.28 months, <i>p</i> = 0.023). <b>Conclusions:</b> The use of large-scale molecular profiling to guide treatment adjustments promises advancements in patient care. Integrating NGS into clinical practice correlates with improved PFS, calling for a broader adoption of its use in the MENA region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-95a64bc45b4a4de0b8c702ac2f5811a7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-95a64bc45b4a4de0b8c702ac2f5811a72025-08-20T01:56:19ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-05-011510118310.3390/diagnostics15101183Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA RegionRami Mahfouz0Reine Abou Zeidane1Tasnim Diab2Ali Tarhini3Eman Sbaity4Houry Kazarian5Yomna El Zibaoui6Nour Sabiha Naji7Mounir Barake8Hazem I. Assi9Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Naef K Bassile Cancer Institute, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Naef K Bassile Cancer Institute, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of General Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Naef K Bassile Cancer Institute, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonFaculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Naef K Bassile Cancer Institute, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, LebanonDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Naef K Bassile Cancer Institute, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon<b>Background:</b> In the era of precision medicine, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an important tool for identifying targetable mutations and tailoring treatment options. Yet the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) lags behind in adopting this technology. This study aims to demonstrate the transformative potential of molecular profiling in the region. <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective study reviewed cancer patients at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, comparing outcomes between those who received NGS-based treatment adjustments (NBTAs) and those who did not. <b>Results:</b> The study enrolled 180 patients, including those with non-small-cell lung cancer (21.2%), sarcomas (20%), gastrointestinal malignancies (23.3%), breast cancer (10.6%), and other cancers (24.9%); 58.3% had stage 4 cancer at diagnosis. Before molecular profiling, 20.6% had stable disease, 21.7% showed partial response, and 57.8% had progressive disease. Most (96%) had received treatment, mainly systemic (90%), with chemotherapy (89%) being the most common. Forty patients (22.2%) underwent NGS-based treatment adjustments (NBTAs). Post-NGS, targeted therapies increased from 35% to 43% and immunotherapies from 14% to 18%. Mutations were detected in 98% of patients, with a median of four mutations per patient. NBTA patients had a median overall survival of 59 months, compared to 23 months for non-NBTA patients (<i>p</i> = 0.096), and significantly improved progression-free survival (5.32 vs. 3.28 months, <i>p</i> = 0.023). <b>Conclusions:</b> The use of large-scale molecular profiling to guide treatment adjustments promises advancements in patient care. Integrating NGS into clinical practice correlates with improved PFS, calling for a broader adoption of its use in the MENA region.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1183sequencingNGSmolecular profilingtargeted therapyprecision medicinepersonalized medicine |
| spellingShingle | Rami Mahfouz Reine Abou Zeidane Tasnim Diab Ali Tarhini Eman Sbaity Houry Kazarian Yomna El Zibaoui Nour Sabiha Naji Mounir Barake Hazem I. Assi Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region Diagnostics sequencing NGS molecular profiling targeted therapy precision medicine personalized medicine |
| title | Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region |
| title_full | Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region |
| title_fullStr | Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region |
| title_short | Real-World Data: Implementation and Outcomes of Next-Generation Sequencing in the MENA Region |
| title_sort | real world data implementation and outcomes of next generation sequencing in the mena region |
| topic | sequencing NGS molecular profiling targeted therapy precision medicine personalized medicine |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1183 |
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