Lessons learned: the first consecutive 1000 patients of the CCCMunichLMU Molecular Tumor Board

Purpose In 2016, the University of Munich Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) was implemented to initiate a precision oncology program. This review of cases was conducted to assess clinical implications and functionality of the program, to identify current limitations and to inform future directions of these efforts. Methods Charts, molecular profiles, and tumor board decisions of the first 1000 consecutive cases (01/2016-03/2020) were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were applied to describe relevant findings. Results Of the first 1000 patients presented to the MTB; 914 patients received comprehensive genomic profiling. Median age of patients was 56 years and 58% were female. The most prevalent diagnoses were breast (16%) and colorectal cancer (10%). Different types of targeted or genome-wide sequencing assays were used; most of them offered by the local department of pathology. Testing was technically successful in 88%. In 41% of cases, a genomic alteration triggered a therapeutic recommendation. The fraction of patients receiving a tumor board recommendation differed significantly between malignancies ranging from over 50% in breast or biliary tract to less than 30% in pancreatic cancers. Based on a retrospective chart review, 17% of patients with an MTB recommendation received appropriate treatment. Conclusion Based on these retrospective analyses, patients with certain malignancies (breast and biliary tract cancer) tend to be more likely to have actionable variants. The low rate of therapeutic implementation (17% of patients receiving a tumor board recommendation) underscores the importance of meticulous follow-up for these patients and ensuring broad access to innovative therapies for patients receiving molecular tumor profiling.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively analyzed the first 1000 cases of the University of Munich Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) precision oncology program. The results showed that patients with breast and biliary tract cancers were more likely to have actionable genetic variants. However, only 17% of patients implemented the treatment recommendations from the tumor board, highlighting the importance of meticulous follow-up and broad access to innovative therapies for these patients.