Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS) has developed a broad gene panel for solid tumors that facilitates detailed diagnostics for current and next generation targeted therapies.

The new gene panel will be implemented in routine healthcare during the autumn. GMS’ working group for solid tumors has developed a gene panel that generates detailed molecular information from 560 genes linked to cancer, it states in a press release. The panel has been validated in a national collaboration and will be implemented in routine healthcare via Sweden’s seven university hospitals during autumn 2022.

“There are many reasons why we chose to develop our own gene panel. By keeping the design and development in-house, we can promptly add diagnostic functions as future clinical needs arise. One such example is the complex biomarker HRD.”

“There are many reasons why we chose to develop our own gene panel. By keeping the design and development in-house, we can promptly add diagnostic functions as future clinical needs arise. One such example is the complex biomarker HRD,” states Anders Edsjö, co-chair of GMS Solid Tumours and senior consultant at the Department of clinical genetics, pathology and molecular diagnostics at Region Skåne, in the press release.

Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is included in the panel in order to predict responses to the treatment of ovarian cancer with PARP inhibitors but is also expected to prove valuable for tumor subtyping and treatment decisions in other types of cancer in the future.

The panel also includes genes which are not currently associated with a treatment choice but which are nonetheless known to have an impact on the growth and behavior of cancer tumors. This will provide patients with new opportunities to join clinical trials and qualify for new targeted therapies.

Interprofessional collaboration

The work to develop the GMS560 panel has involved over a hundred experts from all seven regional Genomic Medicine Centers (GMCs) at Sweden’s university hospitals as well as affiliated regional laboratories.

“To solve the inherent complexity in developing such a broad panel, we have gathered an interprofessional team of pathologists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians and other professions,” says Johan Botling, co-chair of GMS Solid Tumours, senior consultant at Uppsala University Hospital.

Implementation in healthcare

Having undergone extensive validation over the past year, the GMS560 panel is now ready for implementation in the healthcare system. Each regional healthcare provider will put the GMS560 platform into operational use, determined to a large extent by recommendations in the national treatment guidelines for each cancer in hand.

“If all goes as planned, the new comprehensive gene panel will be a vital cornerstone of future cancer care – facilitating safer diagnostics, prognostics and treatment predictions,” says Anders Edsjö.

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