Physicians' Awareness and Understanding of Personalized Medicine in the Treatment of Cancer and Its Adoption in Clinical Practice: a Multinational Survey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim: The use of biomarkers to identify patients (pts) more likely to benefit from specific targeted therapies is well documented. A survey of oncology physicians was undertaken to monitor the awareness and use of biomarkers in clinical practice. Methods: Between 28 October and 6 December 2013, 10-minute online interviews were conducted with physicians from 12 representative countries in Europe, South America and Asia. All were practicing oncology specialists, with 3–35 years' experience, treating >15 pts a month. Results: Interviews were completed by 895 physicians, 50% of whom had identified metastatic colorectal cancer as their highest patient caseload, with 25% recording stage IV breast cancer and 25% stage IIIb/IV NSCLC. According to the survey, the majority of physicians globally (90%) are currently using biomarker testing, the most commonly used tests being for KRAS mutation (87%) and hormone receptor (84%) status and HER2 expression (80%). Of the minority not currently performing biomarker testing, 55% of physicians identified cost or lack of reimbursement as key issues. Most physicians (82%) believed that treatment decision is a process shared between the doctor and/or the multidisciplinary team and the pt, although there are evident regional differences. Yet Conclusions: Physicians globally are aware of the value of biomarker testing and the importance of personalized medicines but do not necessarily feel that their pts are currently well informed enough about their options to fully participate in treatment decisions. Survey initiated and funded by Merck Serono. Disclosure: F. Ciardiello: Advisory boards: Roche, Merck Serono, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Bayer, Lilly Research funding: Bayer, AstraZeneca, Merck Serono; J. Tabernero: Consultant/Advisory Board: Amgen, Imclone, Lilly, Merck KGaA, Millennium, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Celgene, Chugai and Taiho Compensation: Compensated Honoraria from presentations: Amgen, Merck KGaA, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi Relationship: Myself; T. Seufferlein: Lecture fees from Merck-Serono; J. Taieb: Advisory role and speaker for Merck, Roche, Amgen, Bayer, Sanofi; V. Moiseyenko: I am the director of the Clinical Center of the specialized medical care (oncological) in St. Petersburg (Russia); B. Ma: Merck Serono (Hong Kong): research funding. Novartis: research funding Sanofi: Research funding, honorarium as speaker; R. Esser: Salaried employee at Merck KGaA Stock ownership of Merck KGaA; R. Adams: I have received travel expenses and consultancy fees from Merck Serono, Roche and Sanofi. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.