Identification of Disparities in Personalized Cancer Care—A Joint Approach of the German WERA Consortium

Lüke F, Haller F, Utpatel K, Krebs M, Meidenbauer N, Scheiter A, Spörl S, Heudobler D, Sparrer D, Kaiser U, Keil F, Schubart C, Tögel L, Einhell S, Dietmaier W, Huss R, Dintner S, Sommer S, Jordan F, Goebeler ME, Metz M, Haake D, Scheytt M, Gerhard-Hartmann E, Maurus K, Brändlein S, Rosenwald A, Hartmann A, Märkl B, Einsele H, Mackensen A, Herr W, Kunzmann V, Bargou R, Beckmann M, Pukrop T, Trepel M, Evert M, Claus R, Kerscher A (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Cancers MDPI

Book Volume: 14

Article Number: 5040

Journal Issue: 20

DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205040

Abstract

(1) Background: molecular tumor boards (MTBs) are crucial instruments for discussing and allocating targeted therapies to suitable cancer patients based on genetic findings. Currently, limited evidence is available regarding the regional impact and the outreach component of MTBs; (2) Methods: we analyzed MTB patient data from four neighboring Bavarian tertiary care oncology centers in Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, and Augsburg, together constituting the WERA Alliance. Absolute patient numbers and regional distribution across the WERA-wide catchment area were weighted with local population densities; (3) Results: the highest MTB patient numbers were found close to the four cancer centers. However, peaks in absolute patient numbers were also detected in more distant and rural areas. Moreover, weighting absolute numbers with local population density allowed for identifying so-called white spots—regions within our catchment that were relatively underrepresented in WERA MTBs; (4) Conclusions: investigating patient data from four neighboring cancer centers, we comprehensively assessed the regional impact of our MTBs. The results confirmed the success of existing collaborative structures with our regional partners. Additionally, our results help identifying potential white spots in providing precision oncology and help establishing a joint WERA-wide outreach strategy.

Authors with CRIS profile

Florian Haller Professur für Diagnostische Molekularpathologie Norbert Meidenbauer Department of Medicine 5 – Haematology and Oncology Silvia Spörl Department of Medicine 5 – Haematology and Oncology Christoph Schubart Institute of Pathology Lars Tögel Institute of Pathology Arndt Hartmann Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie Andreas Mackensen Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin V Matthias Beckmann Lehrstuhl für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Regensburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Augsburg DE Germany (DE) Universität Augsburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung (BZKF) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lüke, F., Haller, F., Utpatel, K., Krebs, M., Meidenbauer, N., Scheiter, A.,... Kerscher, A. (2022). Identification of Disparities in Personalized Cancer Care—A Joint Approach of the German WERA Consortium. Cancers, 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14205040

MLA:

Lüke, Florian, et al. "Identification of Disparities in Personalized Cancer Care—A Joint Approach of the German WERA Consortium." Cancers 14.20 (2022).

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