Offering affected person training alongside individualized navigation can enhance genomic testing uptake and downstream participation in genomics-based scientific trials, in response to knowledge from the SURGE examine, which had been shared on the
On the assembly, Dr. Nadine A Jackson, principal investigator of the analysis, additionally emphasised that analysis is ongoing and can goal to exhibit that affected person training is possible and that navigation contributes further assist in oncology.
“We introduced knowledge exhibiting that by educating sufferers utilizing a video, which is a fairly easy instrument concordant with their main language (it was supplied in seven totally different languages) and likewise offering a navigator for a subset of sufferers, most of our sufferers had been in a position to consent to genomic testing. This navigator is somebody who’s at their elbow, accessible to help them, to reply questions on genomic testing, and likewise to educate them as soon as these outcomes can be found on find out how to focus on these findings with their physician and the alternatives these findings create for scientific trials,” Jackson emphasised in an unique interview with CURE.
Background and Rationale of the SURGE Trial
Disparities persist in most cancers scientific trial enrollment, significantly amongst sufferers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. These gaps restrict entry to therapies and might contribute to poorer most cancers outcomes. Though many trendy most cancers trials depend on genomic testing to find out eligibility, few research have examined whether or not low consciousness of genomic testing and restricted readiness to pursue testing play a job in these disparities.
“The SURGE examine stands for Supporting Utility and Illustration in Genomics Medical Trial Enrollment. The explanation we have now this examine is as a result of loads of sufferers do not know that the best way we make selections these days about most cancers therapy is predicated on discovering these distinctive options in your tumor; loads of our trials, over 70%, are based mostly on these distinctive findings,” Jackson informed CURE.
Investigators evaluated whether or not patient-centered instruments, together with video-based training and personalised navigation, might improve genomic testing utilization and, in flip, enhance illustration in genomics-based scientific trials.
How the SURGE Research Was Designed
SURGE enrolled adults older than 18 years with suspected or confirmed superior malignancies who had been new sufferers planning to proceed care at Dana-Farber Most cancers Institute. Individuals had been randomly assigned to one in every of three teams: common care; video-based training targeted on genomic testing and scientific trials; or a mixture of video-based training plus affected person navigation for six months.
Researchers assessed outcomes utilizing questionnaires administered earlier than and after the intervention to measure consciousness of and readiness for genomic testing and scientific trial participation. Extra finish factors included consent and completion charges for genomic testing, in addition to follow-up charges amongst sufferers receiving navigation assist. The objective was to know not solely whether or not sufferers agreed to testing, but additionally whether or not training and navigation helped them transfer via the method.
What the Interim Outcomes Present
Preliminary findings from April 2023 via July 2025 included 40 individuals. At baseline, consciousness and readiness had been comparatively excessive, with roughly 69.4% of sufferers reporting consciousness of genomic testing and 75% indicating readiness to endure testing. Consciousness of scientific trials was reported by 80.6% of individuals, with an equal share expressing readiness to take part.
Regardless of this baseline consciousness, genomic testing charges improved considerably with intervention. Consent charges elevated to 83% in contrast with 40% in common care, and 62.5% of individuals in the end underwent genomic testing. Actionable genomic alterations had been recognized in 88% of examined sufferers, in contrast with 73% beforehand. Common turnaround occasions had been 24 days for the OncoPanel and 12.5 days for the Fast Heme Panel.
“Additionally they cited logistical limitations, corresponding to their insurers not paying for testing, or not having the ability to get to the testing website to get it finished, or requiring an additional go to to get genomic testing finished. After which, the largest problem was that it takes time between the check and the outcome, after which there’s further interpretation that’s required,” Jackson famous.
Key Takeaways for Sufferers
The SURGE examine highlights a sensible, patient-focused strategy to closing gaps in scientific trial entry. Academic movies helped sufferers perceive why genomic testing issues, and one-on-one navigation supplied steering via testing, outcomes and subsequent steps. Collectively, these methods elevated genomic testing charges and improved alternatives for trial participation.
“We do not know what we do not know until we interact extra various populations. It seems that in a lot of our genomic research the place we’re simply taking a look at tumor mutations in a petri dish, for instance, or in a lab, we do not have various illustration of tumors, and tumors do present up in another way in several individuals,” Jackson concluded.
Reference:
“Supporting utility and illustration in genomics-based scientific trial enrollment (SURGE): Interim findings,” by Dr. Nadine A. Jackson, et al. Journal of Medical Oncology.
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