The Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP) Network: A Veterans Affairs/Prostate Cancer
Bruce Montgomery1, Matthew Rettig1, Jesse Kasten1
1is an Oncologist and is Network Director at VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, Washington. is an Oncologist at the Greater Los Angeles Health Care System and a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. is Program Director, Million Veteran Program. is Scientific Program Manager of Oncology and is Chief Research and Development Officer, all in the Office of Research and Development, Veterans Health Administration. Bruce Montgomery is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Background:
The promise of precision oncology only can be realized when genetic alterations are identified that can be lever-aged to improve response and minimize toxicity. Identifying those alterations as efficiently as possible and then giving patients access to targeted therapy and clinical study requires a comprehensive strategy across health care systems.
Observations:
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Prostate Cancer Foundation have established a network of VA centers to help develop best practices for precision oncology for the treatment of veterans with advanced prostate cancer. This article describes the genesis and structure of this network and its potential for contributing to care and research in the VA and the health care system as a whole.
Conclusions:
The Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate network and its partnership with VA clinical and research efforts is anticipated to provide important insights into barriers and solutions to the implementation of precision oncology for prostate cancer across the VA.
Insights
Precision oncology requires identifying genetic alterations for better cancer treatment. A new network aims to improve precision oncology for veterans with advanced prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Realizing precision oncology's potential hinges on identifying actionable genetic alterations to enhance treatment response and minimize toxicity.
- Efficiently identifying these alterations and facilitating patient access to targeted therapies and clinical trials necessitates a coordinated healthcare system strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the establishment and structure of a network of VA centers focused on precision oncology for advanced prostate cancer.
- To outline the network's potential contributions to patient care and research within the VA and broader healthcare landscape.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of a network of US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) centers.
- Collaboration between the VA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
- Development of best practices for precision oncology in advanced prostate cancer treatment for veterans.
Main Results:
- The network's genesis and structure are detailed.
- The potential impact on care and research within the VA is discussed.
Conclusions:
- The Precision Oncology Program for Cancer of the Prostate network is expected to yield significant insights.
- Partnership with VA clinical and research efforts will identify barriers and solutions for implementing precision oncology in prostate cancer care across the VA.
