Understanding Cancer Care
Impact of Broad Genomic Profiling
The real-world adoption of broad genomic profiling (BGP) has enabled the simultaneous testing of hundreds of potentially targetable genetic alterations in patients with cancer. Yet evidence regarding the impact of BGP on patient outcomes is constantly evolving, with changes in the availability, utilization, and efficacy of targeted agents. In this proposal, we address the critical need to understand real-world BGP use and its impact on clinical decision-making, treatment outcomes and costs by leveraging the strengths of multiple complementary, real-world datasets. Finally, we will determine the value of additional research to empirically inform decisions about the adoption of BGP into cancer care.
Funding source: NIH (NCI) R01
Principal investigators: Michaela Dinan & Cary Gross
Molecularly Informed Treatment Selection Practices in Advanced Colorectal Cancer
As targeted cancer treatments are developed over time, there is growing complexity in clinical decision making, which may lead to potential gaps in personalized cancer care. This complexity also makes clinical decisions difficult to study, and little is known about practice patterns and guideline-discordant care at the population level among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. In this study, we aim to address this knowledge gap by assessing guideline-concordant molecular testing and biologic treatment selection over time using the Flatiron colorectal cancer dataset.
Funding source: Flatiron Health
Principal investigator: Xiao Wang
The Pediatric Advanced Cancer Experience (PACE): Measuring Quality of End-of-Life Care for Children with Cancer
Although cure rates for childhood cancer have increased over several decades, cancer remains the leading cause of non-accidental death in children. Yet, there are no existing quality measures to define optimal end-of- life care (EOLC) for children with cancer. A lack of standards for EOLC contributes to high healthcare utilization for children with advanced, incurable cancer, as well as widely variable palliative care provision. The overall objectives of this proposal are to prioritize family-centered quality measures for EOLC and to pioneer complementary approaches to assess care quality for children with advanced cancer.
Funding source: National Cancer Institute
Principal Investigator: Prasanna Ananth