The following is a summary of “Pulmonologists’ Attitudes and Role in Precision Medicine Biomarker Testing for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer,” published in the June 2024 issue of Pulmonology by Fox et al.
Despite significant advancements in precision medicine for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the utilization of biomarker testing for these therapies remains notably inconsistent, frequently delayed, and marked by disparities. Pulmonologists often occupy a pivotal role in the initial diagnostic process for lung cancer patients. However, existing data suggest considerable variability in pulmonologists’ knowledge and practices concerning biomarker testing. This study aims to elucidate pulmonologists’ perceptions of their responsibilities in the management of lung cancer, with a particular focus on their role in biomarker testing.
To address this issue, an electronic survey consisting of 31 questions was administered to a randomly selected sample of pulmonologists from the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) analytics database. The survey assessed attitudes and practices related to diagnostic procedures for NSCLC. Inferential statistical analyses, including χ2 tests and multivariable logistic regression models, were employed to interpret the data.
The survey received responses from 401 pulmonologists, the majority of whom (92%) identified as general pulmonologists. More than half of the respondents (62%) reported that they ordered biomarker tests. Factors associated with a higher likelihood of ordering biomarker tests included longer tenure in practice, greater patient case volumes, and involvement in a multidisciplinary tumor board (P < .05). Most respondents (83%) recognized pulmonologists as primarily responsible for conducting the initial diagnostic biopsy, while fewer perceived their role in staging (45%), discussing biomarker testing with patients (28%), and ordering biomarkers (22%). The predominant reasons cited for not ordering biomarker tests were the belief that oncology specialists were responsible (84%), the perception that biomarker testing was outside their scope of practice (46%), and a lack of sufficient knowledge (51%).
This study highlights critical areas for improvement in the integration of biomarker testing into routine practice among pulmonologists. Understanding these factors is essential for enhancing the implementation of precision medicine in lung cancer care, ensuring that patients benefit from timely and equitable access to biomarker testing and subsequent targeted therapies.
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012369224007803
