Biomarker testing rates among metastatic cancer patients with receipt of anti-cancer systemic therapy: A real-world data analysis.

Abstract

550 Background: Biomarker testing to direct individualized therapy options can optimize cancer patient outcomes, particularly for patients with advanced disease. Guideline-recommended molecular testing, comprehensive genomic profiling [CGP] and non-CGP testing, is covered by both Medicare and commercial private insurers (at least non-CGP).. This study examined real-world utilization of biomarker testing among cancer patients with metastatic disease who received anti-cancer systemic therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using de-identified administrative claims data from the Optum Labs Data Warehouse. Adults identified with 1 of 6 advanced cancer types from 1/2018 to 8/2021 were identified; index date was the first claim date for advanced disease. Patients with diagnosis codes indicating only lymph node involvement around the primary cancer were excluded. Continuous enrollment in a commercial (COM) or Medicare Advantage (MA) health plan with both medical and pharmacy benefits was required for 12 months prior to the index date (baseline), and ≥6 months after the index date (follow-up); patients with <6 months follow-up due to death were included. Receipt of anti-cancer systemic therapy during the follow-up was required. Biomarker testing was captured using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes indicating CGP (> 50 gene panels) or non-CGP (≤50 gene panels or single gene tests) during the study period. Rates of biomarker testing by cancer and insurance type, and receipt of targeted therapy and/ were assessed. Results: Result: There were 27,434 metastatic cancer patients meeting study criteria: 10,320 non-small cell lung (NSCLC), 5,525 breast (BC), 5,429 colorectal (CRC), 2,314 ovarian (OC), 872 gastric (GC) and 2,974 pancreatic (PC) cancer patients. 66% of patients were MA enrollees. The median age was 70 years and ranged from 67 years for BC patients to 71 years for NSCLC and PC patients. The median follow-up was 383 days, ranging from 246 days (for PC patients) to 564 days (for BC patients). Overall biomarker testing rates in the follow-up period were: 47% for NSCLC, 34% BC, 58% CRC, 61% OC, 48% GC, and 47% PC. Testing rates were lower among MA patients compared to COM patients (46% vs 53%). Receipt of targeted/monoclonal antibody therapy was higher (47% vs 33%, p<0.01) among patients with biomarker testing compared to those without. Conclusions: Rates of biomarker testing across metastatic tumor types are far from optimal despite guideline recommendations and insurance coverage for testing, and may affect quality of care. To improve adherence to biomarker testing guidelines, interventions to help overcome obstacles to biomarker testing are needed. Future analysis with this cohort will examine patient management and outcomes by receipt of testing, timing of testing and type of therapy received.