Improving biomarker testing in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer: experience from a large community oncology network in the USA

Plain language summary - Improving biomarker testing in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer: experience from a large community oncology network in the USA What is this article about?Cancer therapies often work better in certain subgroups of patients. Tumors may have characteristics that can predict which therapies may be more likely to work. These cancer biomarkers may be identified by special testing, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). If a biomarker is detected, the patient can potentially be treated with medicine that targets that biomarker. This study looked at biomarker testing of lung and colon cancers in two community cancer practices (OneOncology [OneOnc] and nationwide database [NAT]). What were the results?The biomarker testing rates were high (>= 81%) and similar between OneOnc and NAT. NGS testing rates were higher at OneOnc than at NAT (58 vs 49% for NSCLC, 55 vs 42% for metastatic colorectal cancer [mCRC]), suggesting the success of OneOnc's networkwide educational, pathway and operational programs. NGS testing was lower in community practices due to operational challenges and insufficient tissue collection. Patients who had NGS versus other biomarker testing were more likely to receive treatment specifically for that biomarker. However, some patients started treatment before their biomarker results were reported, usually because of their disease and a long wait time for biomarker test results. What do the results of the study mean?Community cancer centers can treat patients with targeted medicine based on biomarker testing results. There are opportunities to increase the number of patients getting NGS testing, shorten turnaround times and reduce the number of patients who start treatment before getting their biomarker test results. Tweetable abstractCommunity cancer centers deliver biomarker testing to inform 1L targeted treatment for the actionable oncogene mutations detected in aNSCLC and mCRC. Higher NGS testing rates at OneOnc versus Flatiron Health reflect the success of OneOnc's educational and operational initiatives. Aim: Biomarker testing detects actionable driver mutations to inform first-line treatment in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This study evaluated biomarker testing in a nationwide database (NAT) versus the OneOncology (OneOnc) community network. Patients & methods: Patients with aNSCLC or mCRC with >= 1 biomarker test in a de-identified electronic health record-derived database were evaluated. OneOnc oncologists were surveyed. Results: Biomarker testing rates were high and comparable between OneOnc and NAT; next-generation sequencing (NGS) rates were higher at OneOnc. Patients with NGS versus other biomarker testing were more likely to receive targeted treatment. Operational challenges and insufficient tissue were barriers to NGS testing. Conclusion: Community cancer centers delivered personalized healthcare through biomarker testing.

Automated summary

This article examines the biomarker testing rates of lung and colon cancer patients in a large community oncology network in the USA. The study finds that the testing rates are high in the network, but lower for next-generation sequencing (NGS) due to operational challenges and insufficient tissue collection.