Training activity information
Details
Interpret and report on genetic testing for circulating tumour referrals to include;
- NSCLC/EGFR
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the common EGFR mutations detected in ctDNA from NSCLC patients and their implications for treatment response and resistance?
- What are the specific considerations for interpreting ctDNA results compared to tissue-based testing (e.g., variant allele frequency, limit of detection, potential for false negatives)?
- What are the essential components of a genetic report for ctDNA testing in NSCLC, ensuring clarity for clinicians regarding treatment decisions and monitoring?
- How will you develop your skills in reporting ctDNA results in a clinically meaningful way, highlighting the implications for patient management?
- Will you review example ctDNA reports for EGFR testing in NSCLC with your training officer or a senior colleague?
- What resources (e.g., relevant literature, guidelines on liquid biopsy reporting) will you consult to prepare for interpretation and reporting?
- What potential challenges might you anticipate in interpreting and reporting ctDNA results (e.g., low variant allele frequency, discordant tissue biopsy results)? How might you approach these?
In action
- How are you currently approaching the interpretation of EGFR mutations, and what real-time decisions are you making to effectively communicate findings and their implications for diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment response?
- What challenges are you encountering in this moment—such as interpreting negative results in known disease, low-level mutations, or discordance with prior tissue results—and how is this building your understanding of sensitivity and false negatives?
- How are you managing complex findings, for instance by consulting with a pathologist or oncologist or ensuring your report clearly defines the assay limitations and clinical context to provide an accurate interpretation?
On action
- How did you present the ctDNA findings in your report, including variant allele frequencies?
- How did you contextualise the ctDNA results with any prior tissue-based testing?
- Were there any specific considerations for reporting on ctDNA results compared to tissue-based results?
- Did you improve your ability to interpret and report on ctDNA testing in NSCLC?
- Did you learn about the specific terminology and reporting standards for ctDNA results?
- How do you convey the clinical utility and limitations of ctDNA testing in your reports?
- How will you ensure that your ctDNA reports are clear, concise, and clinically informative?
- What further learning will you undertake regarding the interpretation and reporting of ctDNA data?
- How will you collaborate with clinicians to ensure appropriate utilisation of ctDNA testing?
Beyond action
- Considering your subsequent work, how has your ability to interpret and report on the results of circulating tumour DNA testing, particularly for EGFR in NSCLC, evolved? Are you now more aware of the specific limitations and clinical utility of these tests?
- Have you had opportunities to discuss ctDNA reports with clinicians, gaining insights into how they use this information in patient management?
- How does your experience in reporting ctDNA results inform your reporting on other liquid biopsy approaches?
- As liquid biopsy becomes more integrated into routine clinical practice, how will your foundational interpretation and reporting skills prepare you for future developments in this field?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Analyse, interpret and report on genetic testing for circulating tumour referrals. |