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Ishikawa M, Nakamura K, Kawano R, Hayashi H, Ikeda T, Saito M, Niida Y, Sasaki J, Okuda H, Ishihara S, Yamaguchi M, Shimada H, Isobe T, Yuza Y, Yoshimura A, Kuroda H, Yukisawa S, Aoki T, Takeshita K, Ueno S, Nakazawa J, Sunakawa Y, Nohara S, Okada C, Nishimiya K, Tanishima S, Nishihara H. Clinical and Diagnostic Utility of Genomic Profiling for Digestive Cancers: Real-World Evidence from Japan. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1504. [PMID: 38672586 PMCID: PMC11048180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The usefulness of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in the Japanese healthcare insurance system remains underexplored. Therefore, this large-scale study aimed to determine the usefulness of CGP in diagnosing digestive cancers. Patients with various cancer types recruited between March 2020 and October 2022 underwent the FoundationOne® CDx assay at the Keio PleSSision Group (19 hospitals in Japan). A scoring system was developed to identify potentially actionable genomic alterations of biological significance and actionable genomic alterations. The detection rates for potentially actionable genomic alterations, actionable genomic alterations, and alterations equivalent to companion diagnosis (CDx), as well as the signaling pathways associated with these alterations in each digestive cancer, were analyzed. Among the 1587 patients, 547 had digestive cancer. The detection rates of potentially actionable genomic alterations, actionable genomic alterations, and alterations equivalent to CDx were 99.5%, 62.5%, and 11.5%, respectively. APC, KRAS, and CDKN2A alterations were frequently observed in colorectal, pancreatic, and biliary cancers, respectively. Most digestive cancers, except esophageal cancer, were adenocarcinomas. Thus, the classification flowchart for digestive adenocarcinomas proposed in this study may facilitate precise diagnosis. CGP has clinical and diagnostic utility in digestive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marin Ishikawa
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
| | - Kohei Nakamura
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
| | - Ryutaro Kawano
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
| | - Hideyuki Hayashi
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
| | - Tatsuru Ikeda
- Department of Cancer Genome Medical Center, Hakodate Goryoukaku Hospital, 38-3, Goryoukakucho, Hakodate-shi 040-8611, Hokkaido, Japan;
| | - Makoto Saito
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Ibaraki Prefectural Center Hospital, 6528, Koibuchi, Kasama-shi 309-1793, Ibaraki, Japan;
| | - Yo Niida
- Center for Clinical Genomics, Kanazawa Medical University Hospital, 1-1, Daigaku, Uchinada 920-0293, Ishikawa, Japan;
| | - Jiichiro Sasaki
- Research and Development Center for New Medical Frontiers, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara-shi 252-0329, Kanagawa, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Okuda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Keiyukai Sapporo Hospital, 1-1 Minami, Hondori 9, Chome, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo 003-0026, Hokkaido, Japan;
| | - Satoshi Ishihara
- Cancer Genome Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Central Japan International Medical Center, 1-1 Kenkonomachi, Minokamo-shi 505-0010, Gifu, Japan;
| | - Masatoshi Yamaguchi
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki Hospital, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake-cho, Miyazaki-shi 889-1692, Miyazaki, Japan;
| | - Hideaki Shimada
- Department of Surgery and Clinical Oncology, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, 6-11-1 Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan;
| | - Takeshi Isobe
- Cancer Genome Medical Center, Shimane University Hospital, 89-1, Enya-cho, Izumo-shi 693-8501, Shimane, Japan;
| | - Yuki Yuza
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, 2-8-29 Musashidai, Fuchu-shi 183-8561, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Akinobu Yoshimura
- Department of Clinical Oncology Director, Outpatient Chemotherapy Center, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan;
| | - Hajime Kuroda
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Adachi Medical Center, 4-33-1 Kohta, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 123-8558, Japan;
| | - Seigo Yukisawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1, Takebayashi, Utsunomiya-shi 321-0974, Tochigi, Japan;
| | - Takuya Aoki
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, 1163, Tatemachi, Hachioji-shi 193-0998, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Kei Takeshita
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Tokai University Hospital, 143, Shimokasuya, Isehara-shi 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan;
| | - Shinichi Ueno
- Oncology Center, Kagoshima University Hospital, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima-shi 890-0075, Kagoshima, Japan;
| | - Junichi Nakazawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kagoshima City Hospital, 37-1, Uearatacho, Kagoshima-shi 890-8760, Kagoshima, Japan;
| | - Yu Sunakawa
- Department of Clinical Oncology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8511, Kanagawa, Japan;
| | - Sachio Nohara
- Biomedical Informatics Department, Communication Engineering Center, Mitsubishi Electric Software Corporation, Fuji Techno-Square, 5-4-36 Tsukaguchi-Honmachi, Amagasaki-shi 661-0001, Hyogo, Japan; (S.N.); (C.O.); (K.N.)
| | - Chihiro Okada
- Biomedical Informatics Department, Communication Engineering Center, Mitsubishi Electric Software Corporation, Fuji Techno-Square, 5-4-36 Tsukaguchi-Honmachi, Amagasaki-shi 661-0001, Hyogo, Japan; (S.N.); (C.O.); (K.N.)
| | - Ko Nishimiya
- Biomedical Informatics Department, Communication Engineering Center, Mitsubishi Electric Software Corporation, Fuji Techno-Square, 5-4-36 Tsukaguchi-Honmachi, Amagasaki-shi 661-0001, Hyogo, Japan; (S.N.); (C.O.); (K.N.)
| | - Shigeki Tanishima
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
- Biomedical Informatics Department, Communication Engineering Center, Mitsubishi Electric Software Corporation, Fuji Techno-Square, 5-4-36 Tsukaguchi-Honmachi, Amagasaki-shi 661-0001, Hyogo, Japan; (S.N.); (C.O.); (K.N.)
| | - Hiroshi Nishihara
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Integrated Medical Research Building 3-S5, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; (K.N.); (R.K.); (H.H.); (S.T.); (H.N.)
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Esposito Abate R, Pasquale R, Sacco A, Simeon V, Maiello MR, Frezzetti D, Chiodini P, Normanno N. Harmonization of tumor mutation burden testing with comprehensive genomic profiling assays: an IQN Path initiative. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e007800. [PMID: 38309725 PMCID: PMC10840060 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although conflicting results emerged from different studies, the tumor mutational burden (TMB) appears as one of most reliable biomarkers of sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several laboratories are reporting TMB values when performing comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) without providing a clinical interpretation, due to the lack of validated cut-off values. The International Quality Network for Pathology launched an initiative to harmonize TMB testing with CGP assay and favor the clinical implementation of this biomarker. METHODS TMB evaluation was performed with three commercially available CGP panels, TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500), Oncomine Comprehensive Plus Assay (OCA) and QIAseq Multimodal Panel (QIA), versus the reference assay FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx). Archived clinical samples derived from 60 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were used for TMB assessment. Adjusted cut-off values for each panel were calculated. RESULTS Testing was successful for 91.7%, 100%, 96.7% and 100% of cases using F1CDx, TSO500, OCA and QIA, respectively. The matrix comparison analysis, between the F1CDx and CGP assays, showed a linear correlation for all three panels, with a higher correlation between F1CDx and TSO500 (rho=0.88) than in the other two comparisons (rho=0.77 for QIA; 0.72 for OCA). The TSO500 showed the best area under the curve (AUC, value 0.96), with a statistically significant difference when compared with the AUC of OCA (0.83, p value=0.01) and QIA (0.88, p value=0.028). The Youden Index calculation allowed us to extrapolate TMB cut-offs of the different panels corresponding to the 10 mutations/megabase (muts/Mb) cut-off of F1CDx: 10.19, 10.4 and 12.37 muts/Mb for TSO500, OCA and QIA, respectively. Using these values, we calculated the relative accuracy measures for the three panels. TSO500 showed 86% specificity and 96% sensitivity, while OCA and QIA had lower yet similar values of specificity and sensitivity (73% and 88%, respectively). CONCLUSION This study estimated TMB cut-off values for commercially available CGP panels. The results showed a good performance of all panels on clinical samples and the calculated cut-offs support better accuracy measures for TSO500. The validated cut-off values can drive clinical interpretation of TMB testing in clinical research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riziero Esposito Abate
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G.Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Sacco
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G.Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vittorio Simeon
- Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Monica Rosaria Maiello
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G.Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Frezzetti
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G.Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Chiodini
- Medical Statistics Unit, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G.Pascale, Napoli, Italy
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Russo GL, Bironzo P, Bennati C, Bonanno L, Catino A, Metro G, Petrini I, Russano M, Passaro A. Clinical evidence and adverse event management update of patients with RET- rearranged advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with pralsetinib. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 194:104243. [PMID: 38135019 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Current non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management relies on genome-driven precision oncology thus shifting treatment paradigm towards biomarker-guided tumor-agnostic approaches. Recently, rearranged during transfection (RET) has been endorsed as tissue-agnostic target with sensitivity to RET inhibition. There are currently two selective RET tyrosine kinase inhibitors, pralsetinib and selpercatinib. The recent introduction of pralsetinib in the treatment algorithm of RET-rearranged tumor along with the mounting clinical evidence of pralsetinib durable activity from both randomized and observational studies holds the potential to disclose new avenues in the management of RET fusion positive NSCLC patients. Our narrative review aims to discuss the available clinical evidence on pralsetinib efficacy, particularly on brain metastases, and tolerability profile. In addition, our work explores the relevance of detecting RET fusions upfront in the disease history of patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lo Russo
- Medical Oncology Department, Thoracic Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Bironzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Ospedale San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Chiara Bennati
- Department of Onco-Hematology, AUSL della Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanno
- Medical Oncology 2, Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Annamaria Catino
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Giulio Metro
- Medical Oncology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Perugia, Italy
| | - Iacopo Petrini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Russano
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Passaro
- Division of Thoracic Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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Rimassa L, Brandi G, Niger M, Normanno N, Melisi D. Diagnosis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in Italy: A Delphi consensus statement. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 192:104146. [PMID: 37777074 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical practice guidelines for the management of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA)/biliary tract cancer recommend genomic profiling to guide treatment decisions. Variable access to such profiling across Italy means many oncologists are unfamiliar with when and how to conduct genetic testing and prescribe targeted treatments. METHODS A Scientific Board of Italian oncologists who treat CCA (the authors) developed recommendations, based on recent clinical evidence, for using molecular testing in diagnosing, assessing, and treating CCA in Italy. The Delphi process was used to reach consensus on these recommendations among 38 Italian oncologists. Consensus was considered to be met if ≥ 66.7 % of the panel agreed or strongly agreed with each statement. FINDINGS Consensus was reached on 28 statements across four themes: (1) epidemiology and risk factors; (2) diagnosis, including molecular diagnosis; (3) treatment selection; and (4) treatment safety. INTERPRETATION These recommendations should aid Italian clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment options for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Rimassa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Brandi
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, DIMEC, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Italy
| | - Monica Niger
- Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Via Mariano Semmola, 53, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Melisi
- Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Clinical Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, P.le L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Università degli Studi di Verona, P.le L. A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy
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5
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Stenzinger A, Moltzen EK, Winkler E, Molnar-Gabor F, Malek N, Costescu A, Jensen BN, Nowak F, Pinto C, Ottersen OP, Schirmacher P, Nordborg J, Seufferlein T, Fröhling S, Edsjö A, Garcia-Foncillas J, Normanno N, Lundgren B, Friedman M, Bolanos N, Tatton-Brown K, Hill S, Rosenquist R. Implementation of precision medicine in healthcare-A European perspective. J Intern Med 2023; 294:437-454. [PMID: 37455247 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The technical development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and the parallel development of targeted therapies in the last decade have enabled a transition from traditional medicine to personalized treatment and care. In this way, by using comprehensive genomic testing, more effective treatments with fewer side effects are provided to each patient-that is, precision or personalized medicine (PM). In several European countries-such as in England, France, Denmark, and Spain-the governments have adopted national strategies and taken "top-down" decisions to invest in national infrastructure for PM. In other countries-such as Sweden, Germany, and Italy with regionally organized healthcare systems-the profession has instead taken "bottom-up" initiatives to build competence networks and infrastructure to enable equal access to PM. In this review, we summarize key learnings at the European level on the implementation process to establish sustainable governance and organization for PM at the regional, national, and EU/international levels. We also discuss critical ethical and legal aspects of implementing PM, and the importance of access to real-world data and performing clinical trials for evidence generation, as well as the need for improved reimbursement models, increased cross-disciplinary education and patient involvement. In summary, PM represents a paradigm shift, and modernization of healthcare and all relevant stakeholders-that is, healthcare, academia, policymakers, industry, and patients-must be involved in this system transformation to create a sustainable, non-siloed ecosystem for precision healthcare that benefits our patients and society at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centers for Personalized Medicine (ZPM), Germany
| | - Ejner K Moltzen
- Innovation Fund Denmark, International Consortium for Personalised Medicine (IC PerMed), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva Winkler
- Section of Translational Medical Ethics, National Center for Tumour Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Nisar Malek
- Centers for Personalized Medicine (ZPM), Germany
- Department for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Carmine Pinto
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centers for Personalized Medicine (ZPM), Germany
| | - Jenni Nordborg
- Lif - The Research-Based Pharmaceutical Industry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Fröhling
- Division of Translational Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anders Edsjö
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Office for Medical Services, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS), Sweden
| | - Jesus Garcia-Foncillas
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Institute, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Mikaela Friedman
- Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS), Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Katrina Tatton-Brown
- National Genomics Education, NHS England, London, UK
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Sue Hill
- Office of Chief Scientific Officer and the Genomics Unit, NHS England, London, UK
| | - Richard Rosenquist
- Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS), Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Fasola G, Barducci MC, Tozzi VD, Cavanna L, Cinieri S, Perrone F, Pinto C, Russo A, Sapino A, Grossi F, Aprile G. Implementation of Precision Oncology in the National Healthcare System: A Statement Proposal Endorsed by Italian Scientific Societies. JCO Precis Oncol 2023; 7:e2300166. [PMID: 37944071 PMCID: PMC10645411 DOI: 10.1200/po.23.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Precision oncology (PO) promises positive results for patients. To date, in Italy, the effort to implement PO has been made autonomously by regional health institutions in a top-down fashion. This approach is not very efficient and jeopardizes patients' equal access to PO. Similar outcomes have been recorded in other Western countries. We tested a method of collaboration among professionals, scientific societies, and government institutions to facilitate the delivery of PO innovation to patients' bedsides. METHOD We designed an organizational research project on the basis of a bottom-up approach. We started by observing PO-related activities in five health care authorities (HCAs) in one Italian region. We then compared the issues that emerged with those of three additional HCAs in other Italian regions. Using the results of the initial observation and adopting validated multiple-step consensus methods, we finally derived 14 statements that were approved by the four main scientific societies of oncology and pathology at the national level. RESULTS The 14 statements addressed the main issues linked to the implementation of PO in clinical practice. The strong professional consensus advocated for prompt adoption within the national healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS The consensus on the statements that were obtained shows the importance of a synergistic effort among professionals, scientific societies, and health care institutions in defining homogeneous solutions for innovation implementation within the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianpiero Fasola
- Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, ASUFC, Udine, Italy
| | - Maria C. Barducci
- Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, ASUFC, Udine, Italy
| | - Valeria D. Tozzi
- Centre for Research on Health and Social Care Management (CERGAS), SDA Bocconi School of Management, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Cavanna
- Piacenza General Hospital, AUSL Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy
- Collegio Italiano dei Primari Oncologi Medici Ospedalieri (CIPOMO), Genova, Italy
| | - Saverio Cinieri
- Complex Medical Oncology Unit, ASL Brindisi Senatore Antonio Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy
- Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica (AIOM), Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Perrone
- Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica (AIOM), Milano, Italy
- Clinical Trials Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carmine Pinto
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Collegio degli Oncologi Medici Universitari (COMU), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Sapino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citologia Diagnostica (SIAPeC), Milano, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
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