Molecular tumour boards analyzed in a University of Kentucky study can indeed help tailor treatment for specific patients, including detecting inherited cancer risks.
Tumour DNA testing revealed that for 12 percent of patients with cancer, there is a possible hereditary genetic mutation that can be detected by the Molecular Tumour Board of the UK Markey Cancer Center, where the research was conducted, reported in JCO Precision Oncology Sept. 8.
MTBs are multi-professional teams of healthcare providers that involve tumour genomic analysis that helps oncologists select the optimal anticancer therapy for a patient. During a MTB consultation, a physician’s patients have their tumour profiled for mutations to Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS).
Besides diagnostic NGS testing, NGS has the capability to identify hereditary genetic mutations in patients. People with certain gene characteristics can actually get other treatments for their cancer and not only more frequent cancer screenings for themselves, but for their family members as well.
Current molecular pathology for many cancer types includes tumour DNA testing, but this practice has introduced a difficulty in identification and management of potential inherited abnormalities, notes the study’s author Taylor A. Rives, M.D. ‘Looking at our study, we will realise that having a genetic counsellor in the molecular tumour board can go a long way to solving this problem.’
Of the 2,355 patients analysed in the study, the Markey Cancer Center MTB had to review NGS results. Out of these, 609 patients were labelled for genetics consult and testing through the MTB recommendation. But out of these 2000 patients, only 30% were even recommended for counselling by their doctors, let alone follow through the testing.
Nevertheless, it was confirmed that only 27% of patients who did receive a genetic test had a hereditary cancer gene mutation even though the referral rates were low. They can facilitate more accurate focusing on attempts at treating and can also assist other family members seek knowledge about their own possibility of getting cancer.
The research team also identified patient characteristics that correlated with genetic testing completion: female patients were more inclined to undertake the test if they had ovarian or breast cancer, or if the evidence for the relevance of the genetic test appeared strong.
The study findings demonstrate the importance of having the geneticists in tumour boards to identify the likely inherited cancer predispositions that may not be noticed. The authors also expressed the pathetic situation indicating that there is a lack of acceptable mechanism to make sure that the patients are referred to the genetic counselling and testing.
Reference:
Chapin E. Molecular tumour boards improve identification of cancer-linked genes. Molecular tumour
