Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

The utility of molecular tumour profiling for patients with advanced cancer in a regional Australian setting (#253)

Natalie Chilko 1 2 , Ortis Estacio 1 2 , Christopher Steer 1 2 3 4 , Kerrie Clarke 1 2 , Richard Eek 1 2 4 , Kim Clark 1 , Jacqueline McBurnie 1 , David Thomas 5 6 , Craig Underhill 1 2 3 4
  1. Border Medical Oncology Research Unit, Albury, NSW, Australia
  2. Medical Oncology, Albury-Wodonga Health, Albury-Wodonga, Australia
  3. Latrobe University, Wodonga, Vic, Australia
  4. UNSW School of Clinical Medicine, Rural Clinical Campus, Albury, NSW, Australia
  5. Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  6. St Vincents Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia

 

Background: Molecular tumour profiling (MTP) aims to identify biomarker targets to link to available treatments. The provision of treatment may be via PBS or clinical trials. The utility of offering molecular tumour profiling for patients in a regional/rural setting is unknown.

Aims: This observational study aimed to assess the utility of offering MTP and biomarker testing to patients with advanced cancer in a regional setting.

Methods:

Patients with advanced cancers were consented for MTP of their biopsy specimens, organised and conducted by a central laboratory, as part of the Garvan Research Institute Cancer Molecular Screening and Therapeutics Program (MoST) research study (ACTRN12616000908437) . The m is conducted via TruSight Tumor 170 panel (Illumina), plus biomarker assays using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation1. Clinicians received a report of identified active and actionable mutations and potential clinical trials. Available trials, some available locally through the MoST program, were offered to the patients. The distance from the patient’s postcode to Melbourne in kilometres was used to calculate distance saved by offering trials locally.

 

Results:

50 patients were included in this study, of whom 49 had mutations identified. Of these, 39 had a trial available. Thirteen patients (26%) there was had a trial available locally. Eight patients (16%) commenced a treatment based on their MTP.  Barriers to commencing targeted treatment included waiting for disease progression, patient choice, poor functional status. Nine patients declined a trial because it was not delivered locally. Total kilometres saved by participating in a trial regionally rather than via a tertiary centre will be presented.

 

Conclusions:

Actionable mutations in advanced cancer are common, and there are many trials available to assess the efficacy of targeted treatment. Regional patients benefited from having access to MTP locally, with 16% commencing a trial, with significant reduction in travel.

 

 

  1. Thavaneswaran et al. 2018. Cancer Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST): a framework for multiple, parallel signal-seeking studies of targeted therapies for rare and neglected cancers. MJA. 209 (8) 354.e1 – e6.