Beaudry, Felix E. G., Li, Zhihao, Borgida, Ayelet, Zorigtbaatar, Anudari, Wang, Xin, Hildebrand, Maggie, Hamza, Oumaima, Jang, Gun Ho, Bucur, Roxana, Dodd, Anna, Wilson, Julie, Auer, Rebecca C., Saibil, Samuel, Tsang, Erica S., Vogel, Arndt, O'Kane, Grainne M., Gallinger, Steven, Knox, Jennifer J., Notta, Faiyaz, and Sapisochin, Gonzalo
Comprehensive molecular profiling can identify alterations in biliary tract cancer (BTC) potentially treatable with targeted therapies. However, the impact of whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing (WGTS) on therapeutic decision-making in a public healthcare system is unknown. Here, BTC patients prospectively received WGTS to inform clinical care at a large Canadian academic cancer center. We characterized the proportion of targetable alterations, the treatment recommendations generated by a molecular tumor board, targeted therapies received, patient outcomes, and the financing of these treatments. A total of 55 patients with BTC prospectively underwent WGTS to inform clinical care. Of those 55, 28 (51%, 95% CI 38–64%) harbored targetable alterations. Molecular tumor boards recommended consideration of targeted therapies for 43 (78% CI: 66–87%) of 55 cases. Among the 15 patients who progressed to second-line therapy and harbored targetable alterations, 8 received nine targeted therapies. No targeted therapies were funded through the public system, and most therapies were funded through compassionate access programs from companies. These results highlight the challenges and potential for inequities when implementing precision oncology in a publicly funded healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]