Tumor Genomic Profiling and Ex Vivo Drug Sensitivity Testing for Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Patients

To describe the frequency of use of tumor genomic profiling and functional ex vivo drug sensitivity testing in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies at our institution, and to determine how the results affected treatment selection.

A retrospective chart review was conducted to analyze the frequency of tumor genomic profiling and functional drug sensitivity screening in our institution in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies and to ask if the results were used to direct treatment. A case series of patients for whom these testing recommendations resulted in therapeutic interventions is reported.

Thirty-three patients underwent tumor genomic profiling assays, functional ex vivo testing, or both. Nineteen patients (58%) had genomic profiling assays performed alone, 3 (9%) had functional ex vivo testing performed alone, and 11 (33%) had both tests performed. Twenty-one (64%) patients had potentially actionable mutations detected by the genomic profiling assay. Seven (21%) patients received at least 1 chemotherapeutic agent in accordance with the tumor genomic profiling or functional ex vivo drug sensitivity testing results. Three (43%) of the 7 patients who were treated with testing directed therapy had a favorable treatment response (PR or CR) to treatments selected based upon results of genomic or functional ex vivo testing.

This retrospective case series demonstrates that precision medicine techniques such as genomic profiling and drug sensitivity testing can positively inform treatment selection in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia and lymphoma.