For the first time, investigators in the U.S. have demonstrated that it is possible to screen individuals with cancer for a variety of cancer-causing genetic mutations as part of normal clinical practice. Doctors have the ability to target tumors with the most suitable treatment by identifying patients’ individual genotypes within a fairly short time period.

The investigation was conducted in individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although investigators are already using it in a variety of other cancers as well. The study is published in the cancer journal, Annals of Oncology this week.

Individuals who suffer with NSCLC could have mutations in any of at least 14 different genes, although the number could be even higher. So far, it has only been possible to look for single or a small number of genetic mutations, but as several genes are found to be involved in more cancers, it is vital for researchers to develop methods to determine the mutational status of numerous genes at once.