Urgent Need to Reduce Turnaround Times for Genomic Testing in Lung Cancer
The UKLCC has written to NHSE England / Genomics England asking that they publish what progress has been made to achieving optimal turnaround times for genomic testing in lung cancer.
25th October 2024
Dear Professor Dame Sue Hill
Subject: Urgent Need to Reduce Turnaround Times for Genomic Testing in Lung Cancer
We are writing to you as representatives of the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) to ask you to kindly publish what progress has been made in achieving optimal turnaround times (TATs) for genomic testing in lung cancer.
As we are all aware, genomic testing is essential for diagnosing and treating lung cancer. These tests are key to accessing innovative, targeted treatments for patients with actionable mutations in order to maximise therapeutic opportunities.
Faster genomic testing can streamline the treatment pathway, reducing the need for repeated consultations and unnecessary treatments – which ultimately leads to NHS cost savings by reducing unwarranted medicine usage, and help to ensure optimal use of finite resources.
We therefore welcomed NHS England’s and Genomic England’s efforts to meet with the clinical community back in June 20231 – to hear our concerns regarding performance and efficiency in the seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) - and offer solutions. At that meeting, the recommendation was made for a 14-calendar day turnaround time from biopsy to molecular results.2
However, 18 months on, delays are still running into several weeks in some parts of the country, which is severely impacting patients and their families. NB: NHS funding restrictions prevent some patients being treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy while they wait.
No one diagnosed with lung cancer should have to wait more than 14-calendar days for genomic test results and without treatment. This is unacceptable.
We are aware that there are significant differences across the GLHs in how quickly specimens reach them, the type of genomic panels used - and how reports are integrated and fed back to individual Trusts.
Although the NHSE Genomics ctDNA pilot is a welcome addition to potentially shortening times to diagnosis for some, it is far from a fix for all - and tissue genomics remains the gold standard.
Without doubt, a nationwide, coordinated effort is needed. This includes staff training, IT networks, delivery systems, data rights, and patient engagement. Thoracic pathologists and NHS England must also work together to integrate genomic data into clinical pathways, as opposed to the current disconnect. Regular reviews of new molecular biomarkers and diagnostics in the National Genomic Test Directory are also essential to keep up with new therapies.
We urge you to publish the latest capacity and performance data against the recommended 14- calendar day turnaround time at each of the seven GLHs - as well as share guidance on how we can expedite current processes, so that patients receive the timely and optimal treatment they deserve.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further.
Yours sincerely
Board of Directors of the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC)
‘Ensuring timely genomic analysis for cancer patients’ NHSE workshop (30 June 2023)
National Optimum Genomic and Molecular Pathway Jan 2024: https://roycastle.org/for-healthcare-professionals/clinical-expert-group/