AN EVALUATION OF THE USE OF TARGETED GENE PANELS TO IDENTIFY TARGETED TREATMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMOURS

Abstract

Abstract AIMS • To assess the impact of undertaking targeted gene panel testing in brain tumour patients outside clinical studies • To assess if novel treatments have impacted management decisions and/or prognosis Testing for specific mutations in brain tumours may give opportunities for using targeted drugs. It is not well established how much patients benefit from this approach since routine panel testing has not been widely applied. METHOD We reviewed patients who had a known brain tumour and were referred to the early phase research clinic at St James’s for consideration of further treatment in the 6-month period [08/2022 – 02/2023]. We identified ten patients and reviewed their records in detail. Ad hoc testing was done on 6 patients, and SPARTA trial screening on 4 patients. RESULTS There were 7 males, 3 females with a mean age of 42 years (24-59). 3 were eligible for clinical trials using agents targeting mutations in the FGFR gene or RET fusion positive status (for the FIGHT 209 and TAPISTRY trials respectively). In 3 patients, there were no targetable mutations. One patient died whilst awaiting results and another is currently under palliative care. Two patients have outstanding molecular data. The data are too early to be able to assess effects on disease trajectory in any patient. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm that gene panel testing may suggest novel treatment options in a subset of brain tumour patients and support efforts to ensure that potentially suitable patients have access to appropriate molecular pathology and genomic testing.