2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.06C.07 Impact of a Diagnostic Bronchoscopy Service with Embedded Reflex Molecular Testing within an Oncology Centre in Patients with Lung Cancer.

EP.06C.07 Impact of a Diagnostic Bronchoscopy Service with Embedded Reflex Molecular Testing within an Oncology Centre in Patients with Lung Cancer.

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The Bronchiomics study, implemented at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, explored the impact of a diagnostic bronchoscopy service with embedded reflex testing on the diagnostic pathway for patients with suspected lung cancer. This initiative sought to address significant delays in the processing of PD-L1 and molecular testing crucial for initiating treatment in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previously, these delays, which stemmed from the intervals between biopsy, histopathology instructions, and referrals between physicians, resulted in a turnaround time (TAT) often exceeding four weeks.<br /><br />To mitigate these delays, a diagnostic bronchoscopy service was established in October 2023, enrolling 36 patients by March 2024. The service involved sending fresh tissue samples directly to a molecular laboratory for next-generation sequencing (NGS) and liquid biopsy, while another sample was sent for histological analysis and immediate PD-L1 testing.<br /><br />The results showed a reduction in median times to receive various diagnostic results: histology results were available in 6 days, PD-L1 results in 11 days, and NGS results from solid tissue in 14-17 days. Comparative data from before the study indicate significant improvements, with PD-L1 results previously taking 28.5 days and NGS results from solid tissue taking 36.5 days. Overall, the median time to treatment initiation was reduced from 57 days to 42.5 days.<br /><br />In conclusion, the implementation of a bronchoscopy service with reflex testing at the oncology center effectively cut the median TAT by about two weeks, thus facilitating earlier initiation of systemic therapy for patients. This study highlights the potential benefits of integrated diagnostic approaches in managing lung cancer treatment timelines.

Asset Subtitle

Haris Charalambous

Meta Tag

Speaker Haris Charalambous

Topic Pathology and Biomarkers

Keywords

Bronchiomics study

Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre

diagnostic bronchoscopy

reflex testing

lung cancer

PD-L1 testing

molecular testing

non-small cell lung cancer

next-generation sequencing

treatment initiation