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We are assembling clinical, scientific, and technical advisory panels and work groups, and we are identifying potential collaborative projects to support. One of our first objectives is to document all resources and assets in the Lung Cancer Innovation Ecosystem.
The Canadian Lung Cancer Innovation Ecosystem Report describes the current state of the Lung Cancer Innovation Ecosystem in Canada as of October 2019.
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Personalized healthcare technologies related to lung cancer diagnosis and treatment are advancing quickly, but they are not being adopted into clinical practice as rapidly. Canadian lung cancer patients do not have funded access to these specialized advanced methods and tools and as a result do not currently receive the best, safest care possible.
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What is it: Although cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard of care for most patients with lung cancer in 2019, advances in next generation sequencing, genomic profiling, new liquid biopsy methods have led to a vastly increased understanding of the molecular diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and that has prompted a shift towards personalized therapies. The ability to specifically and effectively inhibit driver mutations with targeted agents has led to clear and profound survival improvements for patients with lung cancer. Therefore, biomarkers identified should be considered as standard of care today for every patient diagnosed with advanced lung cancer across Canada.
For example, the identification of a number of actionable mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genes has revolutionized therapy in those patients who harbor these mutations.
Why it's important: Two thirds of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have an oncogenic driver mutation and patients with these mutations live longer if they receive the corresponding targeted agent. More examples of Health Canada approved and not yet approved therapies for NSCLC can be found in our article. Unfortunately, the high cost of targeted therapies and increased emphasis by regulatory bodies on safety and efficacy has reduced the availability of new therapies while discoveries of actionable mutations continue to increase.
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The Lung KSP aims to mobilize the lung cancer innovation community to deal with the challenges of setting up a Canadian health system were these personalized therapies are more accessible. We need your help.
Join the Lung KSP Community
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What is it: In the era of targeted therapies, lung cancer diagnosis is based on a combination of histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis. Biomarker and molecular testing, specifically EGFR and ALK testing, is essential to identify patients eligible for targeted therapy. Personalized diagnostic testing ensures that patients receive the therapy that is precisely matched with their genomic profile at the right point in their care to:
- Evaluate patient prognosis
- Determine the best course of treatment and care
- Monitor patients under treatment
Why it's important: In Canada, leading oncologists believe that molecular testing, should be done at diagnosis, while other diagnostic tests are being carried out, irrespective of the patient's tumor staging. Having this data available enables specialists to initiate the right chemotherapy/targeted therapy within acceptable treatment wait time standards for optimal survival outcomes. An algorithm for the current standard (2019) of care for molecular testing for advanced NSCLC can be found in our article.
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Here's What's Happening in CPHIN's Lung Kick Start Program, powered by Colleaga
Through the use and adoption of data-driven personalized medicine diagnostic and therapeutic tools, the Lung Kick Start Program will:
- improve access, quality and safety
- achieve better outcomes for patients with lung cancer, and
- improve the overall effectiveness of healthcare for all Canadians.
Have an article, tool, or case study to contribute to the community?
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