Evaluating Clinical Utility of Complex Genomic Sequencing in Advanced Cancer | Sophie O'Haire

Exploring the clinical impact of complex genomic testing on overall survival in advanced & refractory cancer using a simulated control arm.

SOPHIE O'HAIRE
PhD Student, Cancer Health Services Research
UMCCR and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Precision oncology studies aim to use increasingly complex genomic testing platforms to identify novel biomarkers and potential targeted therapy options for patients with refractory disease. These studies are largely observational, aiming to connect research to the clinic and are therefore non-randomised (single-arm) and encompass heterogenous cancer types and treatment history.

Although the evidence for clinical benefit of targeted trials continues to accumulate, it is often a small proportion of tested patients who receive this outcome. Demonstrating the relative benefit of this testing strategy at a cohort level is challenging and uncertainty remains around how to quantify the value of the approach.

We utilised data from the Australian iPredict study - prospective genomic sequencing for advanced cancer patients - to explore outcomes in a local context. Further to this a registry-based control cohort was identified as a suitable comparator and used to generate a simulated control, to compare survival outcomes for those who had access to genomic testing with those who did not.

Sophie O'Haire has several years’ experience working on clinical studies investigating the implementation of genomic sequencing for patients with advanced solid cancers to improve health outcomes. Her background includes a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) and postgraduate qualifications in Biostatistics from the University of Melbourne. She has recently commenced a PhD with the Cancer Health Services Research Unit and the Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology to continue exploring evaluation of genomic testing strategies in advanced cancer populations.