Current practices and challenges in implementing precision medicine for upper gastrointestinal cancers in European academic centers: an EORTC survey

• Published in: ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology Vol. 5; p. 100074
• Main Authors: Alsina, M., Huerta, A.E., Lordick, F., Verschueren, S., Moehler, M., Fontana, E., Smyth, E., Sclafani, F., Wagner, A.D., Rimassa, L., Lamarca, A., Neuzillet, C., Obermannová, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: liquid biopsy; matched targeted therapies; next-generation sequencing; precision oncology; precision oncology; next-generation sequencing; liquid biopsy; matched targeted therapies
• ISSN: 2949-8198
• DOI: 10.1016/j.esmogo.2024.100074

Precision oncology is gaining momentum in managing patients with gastrointestinal cancers. This study examines the implementation of personalized medicine technologies in upper gastrointestinal (UGI) oncology across European academic centers. Forty-five oncology specialists from 41 European institutions completed a survey designed by the Personalized Medicine Task Force of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Working Group, providing insights into molecular testing, timing, availability of targeted therapies, funding sources, and utilization of molecular tumor boards (MTBs) for patients with UGI cancers. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. Routine testing for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, 100%), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, 89%), and DNA mismatch repair (MMR, 91%) is implemented in most centers. Comprehensive gene panels on tumor tissue are frequently utilized, especially in biliary tract cancer, with almost all centers incorporating them into routine practice. Blood-based sequencing is increasingly employed, and half of centers carry out comprehensive gene panels for circulating tumor DNA analyses. MTBs are regularly held in 76% of centers, predominantly utilizing ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets (ESCAT)-based recommendations for tissue molecular alterations. The translation of genomic information into prescribed treatments remains limited, however, with the majority of centers reporting ∼25% of molecularly stratified treatment decisions following comprehensive genetic testing. This survey provides important insights into current personalized medicine practice in European academic clinical centers for UGI oncology. Despite widespread adoption of molecular testing and implementation of MTBs, further efforts are needed to optimize the integration of personalized medicine into clinical practice. •Molecular testing has been extensively implemented in EORTC academic centers.•Comprehensive gene panels on tumor tissue are widely used, but on blood only the half.•Molecular testing results are routinely discussed in MTBs.•Few patients are treated with proper therapy (matched targeted treatment).•Scientific expertise must be increased.