Poster lunch (ID 46) Poster display session

42P_PR - Painting the global picture of HER2-testing for breast cancer. The ONCOLLEGE-001 survey study (ID 644)

Presentation Number
42P_PR
Lecture Time
12:15 - 12:15
Speakers
  • Sara C. Altuna (Caracas, Venezuela)
Session Name
Poster lunch (ID 46)
Location
Exhibition area, MARITIM Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Date
03.05.2019
Time
12:15 - 13:00

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related death. HER2 is overexpressed in approximately 15-20% of BCs. HER2 expression is not only a prognostic biomarker but a predictive biomarker of response to HER2 targeted therapies. The ONCOLLEGE-001 project addresses the distribution & disparities of HER2-testing (H2T) methods (IHC or in situ hybridization (ISH), which may use either fluorescent (FISH), chromogenic (CISH) or silver (SISH) detection method) in breast cancer, with the aim of painting the global picture (GP).

Methods

A simple, internet-based survey was developed by the international ONCOLLEGE (ONC) working group and the questionnaire was sent to 227 oncology providers by email, was shared on medical social networks (using snowballing as a multiplier effect of promotion and diffusion). Data were analysed per country-income (World Bank groupings) and WHO Regions. Responders authorized for the use of the data.

Results

210 providers responded, across 45 countries (27% from high-income HIC; 35% upper-middle UMIC; 38% lower-middle and low, LMICs; 50% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region), mostly medical and clinical oncologist (58%; 20%) from research hospitals (52%) and public non-teaching (17%) or private institutions (17%). H2T was available only in private setting or abroad in 5%, 42% and 34% of HIC, UMIC and LMICs responders’ institutions. Only IHC (no ISH) may be performed as H2T in 7% & 9.4% of UMIC & LMICs. FISH (54%) and CISH+FISH (14%) were the most common ISH H2T. IHC and ISH were available within 14 days (55%; 29%) and 28 days (38%; 44%) with no dramatic income-restricted patterns of delay. 30% of the responders from LMICs reported affordability issues related to H2T, more for ISH, related to out of pocket expenses and exposure to catastrophic health expenditure, compared to 12% of UMIC and none for HIC (full reimbursement).

Conclusions

The GP of H2T provided by the ONC networking painted a heterogeneous picture, with disparities related to the availability of appropriate cancer testing and affordability with high risk of financial toxicity in the diagnostic phase. An ongoing further analysis addresses also the prioritization and access to HER2 medicines in our ONCOLLEGE-001 project.

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

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