ABSTRACT
Recent research on genomic profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has identified many potentially actionable alterations. However, the feasibility of using genomic profiling to guide routine clinical decision making for PDAC patients remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed PDAC patients between October 2013 and December 2017, who underwent treatment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and had clinical tumor next-generation sequencing (NGS) through commercial resources. Ninety-two patients with 93 tumors tested were included. Forty-eight (52%) patients had potentially curative surgeries. The median time from the tissue available to the NGS testing ordered was 229 days (interquartile range 62-415). A total of three (3%) patients had matched targeted therapies based on genomic profiling results. Genomic profiling guided personalized treatment for PDAC patients is feasible, but the percentage of patients who receive targeted therapy is low. The main challenges are ordering NGS testing early in the clinical course of the disease and the limited evidence of using a targeted approach in these patients. A real-time department level genomic testing ordering system in combination with an evidence-based flagging system for potentially actionable alterations could help address these shortcomings.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/secondary , Molecular Targeted Therapy/standards , Mutation , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Precision Medicine , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/therapy , Combined Modality Therapy , Feasibility Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Middle Aged , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/therapy , Pancreaticoduodenectomy , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) that has metastasized before being discovered, or reoccurs following surgery, remains a major treatment challenge. Trials have established the usefulness of antiangiogenic agents and new regimens in prolonging survival in patients with advanced disease. In the United States, the antiangiogenic agents approved for treating metastatic CRC often are combined with traditional chemotherapeutic agents and include bevacizumab (Avastin®), ziv-aflibercept (Zaltrap®), and regorafenib (Stivarga®). OBJECTIVES: This article reviews factors that guide the development of a nursing plan for monitoring and managing patients who are receiving antiangiogenic therapies. METHODS: Regorafenib and ziv-aflibercept, two newer agents that nurses and other healthcare professionals may have had less experience with, were reviewed. FINDINGS: The key to maximizing the potential benefit of these agents is understanding where these new therapies fit in the overall scheme of treatment options and how to help patients tolerate treatment.
