Abstract POSTER-CTRL-1216: Profile of BRCA testing in ovarian cancer patients in the US and EU

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Around 13% of patients with ovarian cancer harbor mutations in the BRCA genes. Their disease has distinct characteristics which may impact treatment pathways. However, currently only a selected subset of ovarian cancer patients are offered testing for BRCA mutation, based largely upon family history of BRCA-related tumors. Frequencies of, and barriers to testing are not well characterized; therefore, our objective was to describe the current BRCA testing practices among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Methods: A survey of 465 oncologists, 513 pathologists and 97 laboratory directors, including detailed questionnaires for 435 ovarian cancer patients, across the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain was conducted during 2013 by Ipsos Healthcare syndicated MDx Monitor. Results: Physician awareness of BRCA testing in ovarian cancer patients varies: 61–86% in EU and over 90% in US. 50–67% of oncologists in EU, compared with over 80% in US, claim to have used BRCA testing within 6 months from diagnosis. On average, between 24% (US) to 7% (UK) of ovarian cancer patients were tested for BRCA post-diagnosis with large variations between physicians. Guidelines and patient requests were drivers for testing; barriers included perceived lack of clinical utility/targeted therapies (~35%), lack of BRCA risk factors (~5–70% depending on country), patient refusal (~5%), and reimbursement/cost (~15%). In all markets, both germline and somatic BRCA testing were common. Testing was generally performed in remote laboratories for efficiency. In US, most testing was conducted by Myriad; in EU several different tests, including 5% that were developed locally (by individual laboratories), were used. Conclusions: While there is broad knowledge and use of BRCA testing, the survey has highlighted significant barriers which may prevent ovarian cancer patients from being offered the test. Ongoing research aims to demonstrate the value of testing a broader cohort of patients, to identify individuals who may benefit from more personalized treatment approaches. Citation Format: Tyczynski JE, Moss S, De Richter P. Profile of BRCA testing in ovarian cancer patients in the US and EU [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr POSTER-CTRL-1216.