The Power of Precision: Molecular Testing for Personalized Cancer Care

The Power of Precision: Molecular Testing for Personalized Cancer Care is organized by Healio.

Start Date: 09/12/2024
End Date: 09/12/2025

Description:
Molecular testing is a foundational element of personalized medicine. As researchers identify more actionable biomarkers to inform diagnosis, risk stratification, and selection of targeted therapies, guidelines and clinical practices evolve to reflect these advances. In this activity, you will review key NCCN guideline recommendations for molecular testing in thyroid and non-small cell lung cancers in the cases presented. Additional resources and references about updated molecular testing guidelines are provided in a downloadable toolkit.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this activity, learners should be better able to:

• Describe how molecular testing informs treatment decisions in patients with cancer
• Explain the importance of broad panel testing in earlier lines of treatment and for more patients
• Incorporate the key components of the current guidelines for molecular testing in daily practice to ensure optimal care of patients with thyroid cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Program Information:

Molecular testing is a foundational element of personalized medicine. Understanding and overcoming challenges in implementing best practice guidelines for molecular testing can support better diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. "Incorporating Molecular Testing to Support Personalized Cancer Care" is a three-part educational program that focuses on the adoption of best practice guidelines and incorporates evidence from an MD Anderson Cancer Network^TM Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement (PI/QI) program (a program of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center). Piloted at two Cancer Network sites, this PI/QI program aimed to optimize the use of molecular testing in thyroid and lung cancers.

Activities in this program include:

• The Power of Precision: Molecular Testing for Personalized Cancer Care
• Breaking Down Molecular Testing for Patients: Communication Essentials
• Molecular Testing in Practice: Introducing Performance and Quality Improvement

A toolkit of references and resources that reinforce and expand upon the education, including updated guidelines, patient communication strategies, and foundational education about PI and QI, is provided.