Lung cancer biomarker testing: perspective from Europe

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Health Economics

Background:

• Biomarker testing is essential for targeted therapies in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).
• Previous assessments of biomarker testing availability were limited to Central European countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current landscape of biomarker testing availability and reimbursement for NSCLC molecular alterations in Western and Central European countries.
• To identify disparities in diagnostic access and funding for biomarker-based diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• An extended questionnaire, previously used in Central Europe, was distributed to pathologists at the Pulmonary Pathology Society meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia (June 2019).
• Each participating country provided a single responder to ensure country-specific data collection.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in the availability and reimbursement of molecular diagnostics for NSCLC across European countries, including Western Europe.
• Reimbursement models range from complete unavailability to coverage by healthcare systems or pharmaceutical companies.
• Pharmaceutical industry support, while helpful, is not a sustainable long-term solution for equitable access.

Conclusions:

• Structured access and standardized reimbursement for biomarker testing are necessary to ensure patients receive optimal therapeutic options.
• Addressing reimbursement challenges is critical, as biomarker-enabled therapies offer a 50% improvement in outcome success rates.