LUNGevity’s Precision Medicine Initiatives take a holistic approach to advancing the adoption and increasing awareness of comprehensive biomarker testing for people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These programs are designed to ensure that all patients have timely access to appropriate tests and that treatment decisions are based on the outcome of those tests, regardless of where they receive care.
We achieve this through collaborative efforts aimed at identifying barriers and developing practical solutions that enhance biomarker testing awareness and implementation in hospitals and healthcare systems.
LUNGevity partners with experts and organizations through multi-year collaborative working groups to improve the timing of biomarker test ordering, address barriers to pathologist-initiated biomarker testing, provide data on the clinical value of biomarker testing for institutional decision makers, and distill nationally recognized clinical guidelines for biomarker testing.
- Institute "Reflex" Biomarker Testing - Hospital Workflow
Purpose:
Improve the timing of biomarker test ordering in NSCLC by supporting programs that establish systematic “reflexive” hospital workflows for testing and ensure timely results are delivered to providers for the first patient consultation
- Institute "Reflex" Biomarker Testing - Policy
Purpose:
Work with the LUNGevity policy team to address barriers to pathologist-initiated biomarker testing and payment obstacles that prevent hospitals from adopting streamlined workflows that include comprehensive testing for NSCLC patients
Resources:
Comprehensive Genomic Testing for Lung Cancer Patients: Pathologist-Driven Solutions: Highlights the significance of the May 2024 MolDx clarification of CMS policy for pathologist-initiated biomarker testing. A resource with detailed background and insights on Medicare policy for biomarker test orders.
Medicare Policy for Genomic Test Orders: Resources that Describe CMS Policy: Add a one-sentence description here.
- Value Proposition
Purpose:
Increase awareness among hospital and healthcare system decision makers of data supporting comprehensive biomarker testing and operational enhancements that contribute to valuable precision medicine programs and improved patient care
Resources:
Clinical Value of Biomarker Testing in NSCLC: The latest impactful studies and lay summaries designed to help healthcare decision makers adopt robust precision medicine programs at their institutions.
- Biomarker Testing Guidelines
Purpose:
Distill nationally recognized clinical guidelines for biomarker testing to help providers and payers adopt and support guideline-aligned levels of testing
The No One Missed program, led by LUNGevity Foundation in collaboration with over 25 organizations, aims to drive awareness and adoption of comprehensive biomarker testing across cancer types. This campaign empowers patients to advocate for testing as a vital step in achieving a fully informed diagnosis and optimal care.
LUNGevity hosts an annual Lung Cancer Precision Medicine Summit where experts, professional societies, patient advocacy groups, and industry partners come together to discuss advancements in precision medicine, identify emerging trends, and celebrate progress.
Read a summary of the most recent summit
Cancer Precision Medicine Commons
The Cancer Precision Medicine Commons is a cross-cancer consortium of patient advocacy groups and professional societies that LUNGevity convenes to share best practices and collaborate on opportunities to improve the delivery of precision medicine for all people with cancer.
For more information about these programs, please contact Nikki Martin, Senior Director of Precision Medicine Initiatives, at [email protected].
- Medicare Policy for Genomic Test Orders: Resources that Describe CMS Policy. Bruce Quinn Associates. January 2025.
- Fintelmann FJ, Martin NA, Tahir I, et al. Optimizing molecular testing of lung cancer needle biopsy specimens: potential solutions from an interdisciplinary qualitative study. Respir Res. 2023;24:17. doi.org/10.1186/s12931-023-02321-9.
- Understanding the Patient Experience With Biomarker Testing Results Reports in Lung Cancer. June 2022.
- Martin N, Dropkin L, Redway L, et al. Patient perceptions of biomarker testing. Oncol Issues. 2022;37:58-62. PDF
- Martin NA, Tepper JE, Giri VN, et al. Adopting consensus terms for testing in precision medicine. JCO Precis Oncol. 2021;5. doi.org/10.1200/PO.21.00027.
- Inconsistencies Within Biomarker Test Reports Provide Opportunities for Future Patient Education. September 2021.
- A White Paper on the Need for Consistent Terms for Testing in Precision Medicine. September 2020.
- Payer Coverage Policies of Tumor Biomarker Testing. September 2020.