Integrated Radiology, Pathology, and Pharmacy Program to Accelerate Access to Osimertinib

Abstract

A workflow involving radiology, pathology, pharmacy, and oncology reduced time between biopsy and osimertinib.

Expanding the Multidisciplinary Team in Prediagnostic Care of Lung Cancer: How Else Can We Improve Time to Targeted Treatment in Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer?

“…Novel testing platforms still using FFPE tissue are anticipated to enable very short TAT while encompassing a broader panel of aberrations. Blood-based biomarker assessments include broader panels and have faster TAT but still take longer to result than demonstrated from tissue on this study by Dagogo-Jack et al 5 While organizations have recommended prioritizing liquid biopsy in some clinical settings, which can lead to faster results, 6 if results are inconclusive and tissue is then sent for molecular testing, the sequential approach may result in even longer TTT and be complicated by reimbursement issues.…”

“…Despite knowledge of benefits with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in the treatment of EGFR-mutated mNSCLC since 2011 1 and advancements in first-line treatment with osimertinib demonstrating a 20% reduction in the risk of death versus comparator EGFR TKI, 2 the frequency of testing for EGFR mutations remains <100% and time to molecular testing results can still be 2-3 weeks. 3,4 In the article that accompanies this editorial, Dagogo-Jack et al 5 recognized the many variables contributing to delay in treatment initiation and designed a process to expedite the preanalytical and analytical periods. The team established parallel workflows engaging interventional radiology for robust tissue acquisition, surgical pathology for assessment of fresh frozen tissue, molecular pathology for prompt in-house testing, and specialty pharmacy for early preauthorization and immediate drug dispensing when appropriate.…”