ACCC Precision Medicine: Transforming Complex to Clear

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In This Section

Biomarkers

The role of biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment continues to rapidly evolve. Biomarkers, which are also referred to as tumor or molecular markers, are biological changes occurring in the body in response to cancer. These changes can be reflected in protein expression, receptors, hormones, and enzymes, as well as in both somatic and germline genetic mutations. Biomarkers have enabled researchers to better understand cancer subtypes and to develop targeted anti-cancer therapies. As knowledge about the molecular biology of cancer continues to expand, identification of actionable biomarkers continues to increase. The National Cancer Institute has compiled a list of commonly used biomarkers, their associated cancer types, and how each marker is used.

 
BiomarkerLIVE

ACCC launched BiomarkerLIVE in 2019 with the goal of improving communication about biomarkers and molecular profiling among cancer care teams. Now in its second phase, this project is currently focused on helping cancer providers facilitate the integration of precision medicine into their daily practice.

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Biomarker Testing

In partnership with Pfizer Global Medical Grants, ACCC has awarded five cancer centers across the U.S. a total of $1.5 million to support the integration of biomarker testing into the treatment plans of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

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Emerging Biomarkers

ACCC launched this program to assist community and rural cancer programs with making more informed treatment decisions about broad molecular testing for patients with Neurotrophic Tropomyosin-Related Kinase (NTRK) gene fusion-driven cancer.

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Evolving Biomarkers in NSCLC

The goal of this program is to assist community cancer programs with incorporating new testing innovations, ordering timely and comprehensive biomarker testing, and offering new treatment options to advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients as soon as they become available.

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Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations

ACCC has partnered with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and LUNGevity on an educational initiative to identify and address existing disparities in access to biomarker testing among Medicaid beneficiaries.

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Operational Pathways

This educational program is focused on the standardization of operational pathways for molecular testing for eligible non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.  

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Publications

Biomarker Testing in Practice: Process Improvement Toolkit
Review the four key elements needed when developing a precision medicine program that successfully incorporates biomarker testing.

Application of Biomarkers in Clinical Trials
This white paper details considerations when determining to conduct biomarker testing on a patient, and the role the test results may play in potentially making that patient eligible for future clinical trials.

Operational Pathways for Biomarker Testing in NSCLC Environmental Scan
Read an overview of the current landscape of biomarker testing, barriers to implementing testing recommendations, and possible solutions toward creating operational efficiencies in testing.

Cancer Buzz Podcasts

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From the ACCCBuzz Blog

  • ACCC Commemorates World Lung Cancer Day—10 Years Strong
    August 01, 2022
    Communities around the globe recognize August 1 as World Lung Cancer Day—a day to commemorate, educate, and support individuals and families impacted by lung cancer. Read highlights on a few ACCC initiatives that are helping cancer care teams better support their patients with this disease.
  • MM-Awareness-Month-240x160
    Expanding Awareness of Multiple Myeloma
    March 23, 2022
    March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. Learn how ACCC is supporting collaboration among healthcare providers with practical, scalable solutions to the real-world challenges of improving quality care delivery for patients with multiple myeloma.
  • Biomarker Testing NSLC Roadmap
    ACCC Launches Precision Medicine Campaign
    November 04, 2021
    In launching its new campaign, "Transforming Complex To Clear," ACCC brought together expert panelists to discuss effective practices and offer tips to address current barriers to biomarker testing in the community setting.
  • Blocks arranged to spell out policy
    ACCC Signs Statement on Medicare MCED Screening Coverage Act of 2021
    March 22, 2021
    Led by the Prevent Cancer Foundation, ACCC has joined more than 300 organizations in signing a letter urging the passage of the MCED Screening Coverage Act, which will help cancer care providers be able to use the latest testing technologies to improve quality of life and better patient outcomes.
  • Cancer Cell and DNA Strand-cropped
    Bringing Genetic Testing Closer to Home
    June 26, 2019

Digital Tools

Biomarker Lexicon
Explore the many terms associated with the different areas and applications of cancer biomarkers.

Biomarker Resource Library
Search this resource bank of nationally available materials relevant to cancer biomarkers and biomarker testing. You may filter by cancer type, area of application, and/or primary audience.

Biomarker Testing Implementation Roadmap for Advanced NSCLC
An innovative tool to implement, expand, and sustain biomarker testing for patients with advanced NSCLC.

Biomarker Testing Resource Library
Curated materials to support the implementation of biomarker testing for patients with advanced NSCLC.

On-Demand Webinars

  • This webinar will review how the steps in the life cycle of a patient specimen can affect its molecular integrity and molecular analysis results. Our expert speaker will define the roles of stewardship across the specimen chain of custody, discuss common factors that compromise specimen fitness for molecular testing, and describe solutions to improve preanalytics and tissue stewardship.

  • Two thought leaders who have deep knowledge of—and experience in—biomarker testing in patients with hematologic malignancies will discuss best practices for biomarker testing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma based on patient case discussions and the latest guidelines.

  • Take a deeper dive into the differences between germline and somatic mutations and what this means for patients with cancer and their families. Considerations for tumor types where somatic and germline testing comes into play for colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers will be discussed.

  • This webinar will help participants better understand the role of laboratory medicine professionals and pathologists in biomarker testing and incorporate a review of testing techniques and applications, lab-specific regulations, and the impact of those regulations on biomarker testing.

  • This on-demand panel discussion provides a review pf the current policies and regulations that drive costs related to biomarker testing.

  • This on-demand webinar will explore the differences between germline and somatic mutations (with case examples), review AMP/ASCO/CAP guidelines, give somatic testing examples, and share findings from a LUNGevity/FORCE patient survey.

  • Gain an introduction to cancer biomarkers and its relevant terminology, review different types of biomarkers, discuss the current landscape of biomarker-driven therapies by tumor type, and implications for cancer care delivery.

Presentations & Abstracts