Education on the Role of Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer Management Aims to Improve Patient Mortality

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Nov. 3, 2023 - PRLog -- DKBmed LLC is developing an interactive, case-based, two-part educational program to address the emerging knowledge gaps faced by clinicians who treat patients with lung cancer. Entitled Oncology Innovations: The Role of Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer Management, this initiative will examine the role of liquid biopsies on treatment selection and illustrate how to optimize patient care through the "Do It Better" learning format. Additionally, a "virtual concierge" will locate a nearby lab to perform the tests, put clinicians in contact with these labs and assist with payer challenges (US only). This program is a further expansion of DKBmed's Oncology Innovations brand that's focused on providing vital education for oncologists and other providers who treat patients with cancer.

With approximately 236,000 new cases diagnosed alone in the United States in 2021, lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer globally after breast cancer. Although 5-year survival rates exceed 60% for patient subsets whose cancers were diagnosed in earlier stages, a majority of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in advanced stages. In this setting, where the cancer has metastasized to the brain and bones, between 3% and 9% of patients live past 5 years. To achieve optimal outcomes, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network stresses the importance of molecular profiling of the tumor using biomarkers detected with biopsies. Among the most exciting advances in the management of advanced lung cancer is the liquid biopsy, which detects circulating tumor DNA and other biomarkers shaded in the bloodstream. Liquid biopsy is a versatile tool that enables clinicians to noninvasively identify the most suitable therapy for each individual patient and monitor the response to treatments.

"Traditional biopsies can be costly, invasive, and ultimately infeasible for many patients with advanced, metastatic lung cancer who have poor performance status. As more targeted treatments gain approval and complicate clinical decision-making, oncology care providers will need greater familiarity with next-generation tools that allow us to realize the fullest potential of precision oncology. A wider adoption of liquid biopsy, namely cell-free DNA analysis, is eagerly awaited," notes Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, president of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy and deputy chair of the Educational Committee at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.

In Oncology Innovations: The Role of Liquid Biopsy in Lung Cancer Management, participants will:

• Hone their decision-making skills and cultivate greater familiarity with best practices and recommendations made in the latest clinical practice guidelines.
• Rate the quality of care provided in multiple case scenarios and reflect upon aspects of care that can be further refined.
• Identify strategies to overcome logistical barriers to using liquid biopsies in practice (e.g., payer obstacles).
• Reinforce the value of liquid biopsies in the management of patients with lung cancer.

http://liquidbiopsy.dkbmed.com/