Molecular Profiling and Targeted Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the MENA Region

4 1 minute read

The treatment paradigm for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been fundamentally changed by the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy over the past decade. Given that lung cancer remains a leading cause of global cancer mortality, understanding the regional molecular epidemiology is vital.

This systematic review and expert opinion study aimed to determine the prevalence of key oncogenic mutations (ALK, EGFR, KRAS, ROS1, MET, BRAF, and HER2) in NSCLC patients across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and evaluate current treatment approaches in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The study involved a systematic literature search, complemented by interviews with 10 medical oncologists from the GCC to provide real-world clinical context.

Analysis of the pooled data revealed significant molecular patterns, underscoring the difference in mutation profiles compared to other global populations. EGFR mutations were found to be the most frequent driver in the MENA region, with a prevalence of 24% (95% CI, 22.05-25.41%), followed by KRAS mutations at 19.7% (95% CI, 15.29-24.07%). The prevalence rates for other mutations were ALK at 7.9%, MET at 4.7%, and BRAF at 3.7%, with ROS1 at 2.2%. Data for HER2 mutations were not available.

Experts noted that while targeted therapies and treatment protocols in GCC countries generally align with major international guidelines (NCCN, ESMO) and are well-funded by governmental healthcare systems, significant challenges remain. These primarily revolve around the standardization and implementation of comprehensive molecular diagnostics, such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and liquid biopsy, across the region.

The study concludes that ongoing research is essential to fully characterize driver mutations across the wider MENA countries to further refine and inform future personalized treatment strategies.

Reference Source
AlJassim A, Kanbour A, Azribi F, et al. Prevalence of molecular mutations in non-small cell lung cancer and current treatment approaches in the MENA region: systematic review and expert opinion.
J Immunother Precis Oncol. Aug 26, 2025; 8:233-241. DOI: 10.36401/ПРО-24-35.