The Emerging Role of Biomarker Mutations in Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Management

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for the majority of cases. While biomarker-driven strategies significantly improve targeted therapy selection and outcomes in advanced NSCLC, their function in the surgical management of early-stage NSCLC remains less defined and underutilized. Recent evidence highlights the potential for biomarker testing—such as EGFR and ALK mutation analysis—to inform early-stage treatment plans, enhance diagnostic precision, and guide adjuvant therapy decisions, yet comprehensive implementation particularly in community and diverse healthcare settings has lagged behind. Despite growing evidence supporting the value of biomarker testing beyond advanced disease, current guidelines such as those from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) continue primarily recommending extensive biomarker evaluation in advanced-stage patients only, leaving a knowledge gap regarding its clinical utility for surgically managed early-stage NSCLC patients.

This Research Topic aims to clarify the clinical implications, predictive factors, and surgical patient outcomes associated with implementing biomarker mutation testing in early-stage NSCLC. Key objectives include determining the prevalence of biomarker screening in patients undergoing surgical resection, assessing factors influencing biomarker testing adoption at institutional and community levels, and identifying clinically meaningful correlations between biomarker-guided surgical treatment and patient prognosis. Addressing these key knowledge gaps can facilitate a more tailored surgical therapeutic approach, refine clinical practice guidance, and ultimately improve patient care and survival outcomes.

To gather further insights within early-stage NSCLC managed surgically, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Prevalence and variability of biomarker mutation testing among surgically treated NSCLC patients across hospital settings.
• Predictors and barriers influencing biomarker testing adoption in surgical practice.
• Clinical outcomes and prognostic implications of biomarker-guided adjuvant therapies following surgical resection.
• Comparative studies assessing outcomes between biomarker-informed and conventional surgical management approaches.
• Real-world surgical outcomes data associated with biomarker testing utilization in diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.

We accept Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Review Articles, and Perspectives addressing these themes.