Advances in biomarker testing over the last two decades have transformed the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Testing for predictive biomarkers has provided clinicians with the tools to better understand the complex biological and environmental mechanisms underlying a disease, enabling them to select or predict those patients who are likely to gain therapeutic benefits from specific treatments.

Currently, there is considerable variability in access to and uptake of biomarker testing. A recent global study found that most healthcare professionals believe that, in their respective countries, less than half of patients with lung cancer receive molecular testing.ⁱ Challenges contributing to this low uptake range from resource and organisational barriers, including reimbursement and testing infrastructure, through to implementation issues, including testing timing, result reports and interpretation. Barriers such as these, which have led to the slow and uneven adoption of biomarker testing across the world, have potentially resulted in patients not receiving optimal treatments, leading to diminished patient outcomes and reduced survival.ⁱⁱ

The new report, developed by the Lung Ambition Alliance, sets out three priority areas that need to be addressed to improve lung cancer patient outcomes:

• Strengthening testing infrastructure
• Shortening time between testing, results and treatment
• Reimbursing testing costs

Key recommendations outlined in the report include training programmes to strengthen and future proof the laboratory workforce, awareness campaigns to ensure that both patients and health providers understand biomarker testing purposes and procedures to make informed decisions, and the establishment of appropriate funding mechanisms for recommended tests. All recommendations are intended to improve the lung cancer patient pathway by increasing understanding of, and access to, biomarker testing.

David LeDuc, Associate Director, Oncology Patient Affairs, AstraZeneca, said: “The insights shared in this report are gathered from a wide range of stakeholders, with interest and expertise in lung cancer care. Their valuable input will enable in-depth discussion and exploration of the biomarker access challenges currently faced throughout the world. The report’s recommendations and call-to-action reflect the objectives of our newly established Ambition, Improvement and Measurement (AIM) programme, which intends to improve the management of lung cancer and timely access to care, bringing us one step closer to achieving the Lung Ambition Alliance’s overarching and bold ambition of eliminating lung cancer as a cause of death.”

The report’s call for increased access to high-quality biomarker testing comes at a critical time for lung cancer. Currently, the disease is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with over one million diagnoses every year.ⁱⁱⁱ

Dr Murry Wynes, senior advisor of scientific affairs at The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), said: “Biomarker testing in lung cancer provides clinicians with the opportunity to offer their patients the best possible care, and potentially extend and improve patients’ lives. But the potential of biomarkers can only come to fruition if health systems and providers have the infrastructure and the resources to employ testing broadly and efficiently. The recommendations of this report provide important insights to help policymakers integrate biomarker testing within existing cancer care systems - an action that will ultimately improve outcomes for lung cancer patients across the world.”