LANGHORNE, PA — Biomarker testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States is significantly underutilized, according to a study by Amplity Health. Presented at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, the research highlights critical gaps in testing practices and calls for improved diagnostic strategies.
The study, “Biomarker Testing and Targeted Therapy Use Among Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the United States,” analyzed data using natural language processing from over 70 million records. It revealed that only 13.4% of the 61,018 NSCLC patients identified in the Amplity Health Insights™ Database were recorded as being biomarker tested.
Melanie Jardim, PhD, an Amplity Health executive and principal investigator of the study, commented on the findings. “Our data further suggest that even when biomarker testing is conducted, and actionable mutations are confirmed, many patients may not be receiving an appropriate targeted therapy.”
The study found that of the 6,387 patients with identified mutations, only approximately 36% received the indicated treatment. This indicates a significant gap between diagnosis and the administration of targeted therapies.
Chris Baker, CEO of Amplity Health, emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing these issues. “When working with healthcare providers and clients, Amplity’s goal is to help remove barriers and address social determinants related to biomarker testing and treatment, ultimately enhancing outcomes across all populations.”
Amplity Health’s findings highlight the need for more comprehensive biomarker testing and a better implementation of targeted therapies. As lung cancer remains a major health challenge, these insights could drive improvements in patient care and outcomes. The research calls for healthcare providers and policymakers to address the barriers preventing effective use of biomarker testing and targeted treatments.
By highlighting these gaps, Amplity Health aims to foster greater awareness and action towards improving diagnostic and treatment practices for NSCLC patients. The study’s results could pave the way for more personalized and effective cancer care, benefiting thousands of patients across the country.
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