PMMTB implementation benefits cancer patients

Several cancer patients have benefitted from nonstandard of care (non-SOC) recommendations by the regional precision medicine molecular tumour board (PMMTB), reports a study. Also, additional processes have been implemented to improve the accessibility of non-SOC treatment.

Patients reviewed by the PMMTB between September 2015 and December 2017 were enrolled in this observational cohort study. Those who had consented to the registry study were included. Time on treatment (ToT) ratio was the primary endpoint. Clinical utility was established if at least 15 percent of patients achieved a ToT ratio of ≥1.3.

Of the 278 patients presented to the PMMTB, 113 were included in the final analysis. The PMMTB identified at least one non-SOC clinically actionable mutation for 78 patients (69.0 percent). Among those who received non-SOC treatment, 43.8 percent (7/16) achieved a ToT ratio of ≥1.3 (p<0.001). Notably, non-SOC recommendations were not given to 59 patients.

Among patients who did not pursue treatment, 35.6 percent achieved response current treatment, 20.3 percent died prior to starting or considering PMMTB recommendations, 13.5 percent pursued other treatment options based on physician discretion, 10.2 percent tried other options because clinical trials were not accessible, 8.5 percent had rapid decline of performance status, 6.8 percent lacked financial support, and 5.1 percent were excluded from the trials due to abnormal laboratory values.

“Molecular tumour boards provide precision treatment recommendations based on cancer genomic profile,” the authors said. “However, practical barriers limit their benefits.”