The initial assessment of expert panel performance in core hospitals for cancer genomic medicine in Japan

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Kuniko Sunami1, Yoichi Naito2, Eriko Aimono3

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

International Journal of Clinical Oncology
|January 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cancer genomic profiling (CGP) in Japan shows low treatment matching rates but highlights the need for standardized expert panels (EPs) to improve precision oncology implementation and genetic counseling referrals.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Healthcare Policy

Background:

  • Japan's National Health Insurance covers cancer genomic profiling (CGP) since June 2019.
  • Implementation is restricted to designated hospitals with molecular tumor boards (expert panels, EPs).
  • Standardizing EPs is crucial for advancing precision oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the real-world application of CGP in Japan.
  • To assess treatment matching and genetic counseling referrals post-CGP.
  • To analyze the efficiency and standardization of expert panels.

Main Methods:

  • Collected data from 747 consecutive CGP cases across 11 hospitals (June 2019-Jan 2020).
  • Assessed genomically matched treatments, including investigational new drugs (INDs), and genetic counseling recommendations.
  • Evaluated simulated cases annotated by multiple EPs.

Main Results:

  • 3.7% of cases received genomically matched treatment; 2.3% were referred for genetic counseling.
  • EP discussions focused on treatment applicability and genetic counseling needs.
  • EP annotation variability, especially for IND trials, was observed, potentially impacting trial enrollment.

Conclusions:

  • CGP application in Japan provides valuable reference data for precision oncology.
  • Further research is needed to standardize clinical annotations by EPs.
  • Optimizing EP function is key to maximizing the benefits of CGP.
Abstract

Keywords:
Comprehensive genomic profiling testsCore hospitalsExpert panelGenetic counselingInvestigational new drug trialsPrecision oncology

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