[Infrastructure Required for Implementing Genomic Medicine and Expert Panel].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Japan designated 11 leading institutions in 2018 to advance genomic cancer medicine.
• Government approval of multiplex gene panel testing in April 2019 necessitates urgent infrastructure development in hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the critical infrastructures and human resources required for implementing genomic medicine.
• To describe the establishment of these essential infrastructures within a specific institution.

Main Methods:

• Focus on the development of key components for genomic medicine implementation.
• Details the establishment of staff education programs.
• Highlights the creation of specialized roles and systems, including pathology support, coordinators, molecular tumor boards, and genetic counseling.

Main Results:

• Identified five key areas for infrastructure development: staff education, pathology sample handling, patient coordination, multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards, and genetic counseling.
• Describes the practical implementation of these infrastructures in the institution.

Conclusions:

• Successful integration of genomic cancer medicine requires robust infrastructure and trained personnel.
• The described institutional model provides a framework for other hospitals undertaking genomic medicine initiatives.