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The Advanced Practitioner's Role in the Rapidly Evolving Landscape of Precision Medicine
Donald C Moore1, Andrew S Guinigundo2
1From Department of Pharmacy, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Abstract:
The advent of precision medicine targeting oncogenic mutations and other alterations has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of many solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. For many of these agents, predictive biomarker testing is necessary to determine the presence of such alterations in order to select patients who are most likely to respond, and to avoid the use of ineffective and potentially harmful alternative therapy. Recent technological advances such as next-generation sequencing have facilitated the identification of targetable biomarkers in patients with cancer and thus help inform treatment decisions. Moreover, new molecular-guided therapies and associated predictive biomarkers continue to be discovered. For some cancer therapeutics, regulatory approval requires the use of a companion diagnostic to ensure proper patient selection. Advanced practitioners therefore need to be aware of current biomarker testing guidelines regarding who should be tested, how and when to test, and how these results can guide treatment decisions using molecular-based therapies. They should also recognize and address potential barriers and disparities in biomarker testing to ensure equitable care for all patients, and assist in educating patients and colleagues alike on the importance of testing and integration into clinical practice to enhance outcomes.
Insights
Precision medicine uses biomarker testing to guide cancer treatment, improving patient selection for targeted therapies. Understanding testing guidelines and addressing disparities ensures equitable, effective care for all cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Precision medicine revolutionizes cancer treatment by targeting specific mutations.
- Predictive biomarker testing is crucial for selecting patients likely to respond to targeted therapies.
- Technological advancements like next-generation sequencing enable comprehensive biomarker identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of biomarker testing in precision oncology.
- To inform advanced practitioners about current testing guidelines and their clinical application.
- To emphasize the need to address disparities in biomarker testing for equitable cancer care.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on precision medicine and biomarker testing in oncology.
- Analysis of the role of next-generation sequencing and companion diagnostics.
- Discussion of clinical implications for advanced practitioners and patient education.
Main Results:
- Biomarker testing is essential for guiding molecular-based therapies and companion diagnostics.
- Next-generation sequencing facilitates identification of targetable biomarkers.
- Awareness of guidelines and addressing disparities are key for effective implementation.
Conclusions:
- Advanced practitioners must be knowledgeable about biomarker testing guidelines for molecular-based therapies.
- Addressing barriers and disparities in testing is critical for ensuring equitable patient outcomes.
- Educating patients and colleagues on biomarker testing integration enhances cancer care.
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