Implications for Diagnostics

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although precision medicine has improved outcomes for many patients, certain rare genetic mutations are still poorly understood, particularly in regions with limited access to genomic testing. Such mutations involve the HER2 gene, better known for its role in breast cancer but also implicated in a small subset of lung cancers. HER2 mutations are found in approximately 2–4% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and create unique challenges. These tumors can vary significantly in how they appear under a microscope and in how they respond to treatment. Adding to the complexity, most diagnostic and treatment guidelines are based on research from high-income countries, which may not reflect the genetic diversity seen in other parts of the world. To help close this knowledge gap, researchers in Northeastern Brazil conducted one of the first detailed investigations into HER2-mutated NSCLC in Latin America. Their study, recently published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget, reveals a complex and often overlooked form of the disease, highlighting the need for broader access to targeted therapies in underserved populations. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2025/10/08/new-insights-into-her2-mutated-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-in-brazil/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28737 Correspondence to - Fabio Tavora - stellacpak@outlook.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr5R9iDBFFI Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28737 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, HER2 mutation, NSCLC, lung cancer, targeted therapy, genomic profiling To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM