Gastric Cancer: access to biomarker testing; processes delays-FSP Precision Medicine Speaker #5 - Gastric Cancer

FSP Precision Medicine Speaker #5 - Gastric Cancer - Marci Crowley

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker presented a study on gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma biopsies, focusing on specimen adequacy and delays in predictive biomarker testing. Among 82 initial biopsies from 50 community labs, only about two-thirds met basic adequacy criteria, and fewer met HER2-specific requirements. Upfront biomarker testing was done in 62% of cases. Delays in testing often postponed biomarker-driven therapy beyond cycle one, with delayed cases receiving results much later than prompt cases. The talk emphasized that precision medicine depends on adequate tissue, reflex biomarker testing at diagnosis, timely reporting, and strong communication between pathologists, clinicians, and outside facilities.

Keywords

gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma

biopsy adequacy

biomarker testing delay

HER2 testing

precision medicine