Precision medicine involves delivering the appropriate cancer treatment to the right patient at the right time. This approach can lead to significantly better patient outcomes by avoiding ineffective therapies and reducing unnecessary healthcare costs.
Biomarker testing is a powerful tool in precision medicine. Dr. Herdee Luna, president of the Philippine Society of Oncologists (PSO) and pathologist Dr. Jasper Andal said that through biomarker testing, doctors can look for genes, proteins, and other substances that may provide crucial information about how one’s cancer behaves. By analyzing these markers, doctors can make informed decisions about personalized treatment plans, potentially including targeted therapies or immunotherapies.
Dr. Luna and Dr. Andal served as resource speakers at a health forum launching healthcare company MSD’s “Hit the Mark” campaign on March 21, 2024. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the value of lung panel testing (biomarker test focused on lung cancer) and personalized treatment to achieve better patient outcomes.
Championing equitable access
THE “Hit the Mark” campaign unites patient groups, medical societies, laboratories, and healthcare companies to champion equitable access to biomarker testing and other innovative treatment options for lung cancer patients in the Philippines.
Health experts agree that lung cancer treatment benefits greatly from biomarker testing. In the Philippines, lung cancer is the top killer among cancers, which remains as the second leading cause of death. The high smoking rate in the country, with nearly a quarter of the population aged 15 and above lighting up, is a significant contributor to the nation’s alarming lung cancer statistics.
Thanks to advances in early detection, innovative therapies, and increased understanding that lung cancer treatment is not “one size fits all,” lung cancer care has improved dramatically over the past decade. However, in the Philippines, many cancer patients may still potentially miss the appropriate treatment, probably foregoing greater survival and quality of life opportunities.
Dr. Luna advised lung cancer patients to inquire about biomarker tests and other details of the disease from their healthcare providers.
“Ask about what additional tests that you need to undergo. The doctors will guide you if it will be a tissue-based analysis or blood test analysis and so on. Ask your doctor regarding all possible treatment options.”
“As we have mentioned, each patient is unique so the management is also different from another patient. Know more information about your tumor, its stage, sequencing of your treatment, to optimizing your health outcomes,” said Dr. Luna.
Accessible biomarker tests for lung cancer
Another guest speaker, Melissa Ongsue-Lee, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Hi-Precision Diagnostics (HPD), discussed how to make nationwide coverage for cancer testing possible through HPD clinics. For the first time, three biomarkers—PD-L1, EGFR, and ALK—in a lung panel test have been put together for the benefit of the patient.
“This is the first time that we are unifying these three important biomarkers, so that patients can get the result as quickly as possible and get treated as soon as possible,” said Ongsue-Lee.
Previously, patients had to undergo separate tests for each of these three biomarkers.
“Starting April 1, we will be distributing the forms to our doctors and partners and they can just submit it to any HP [Hi-Precision] branch near their locations and we’ll do the test for them.”
“The great news here is the test for the three biomarkers are actually free, you just have to go to your doctor, get the form, then go to HP and have yourself tested,” shared Ongsue-Lee.
Multi-stakeholder collaboration
SHE added that this multi-stakeholder collaboration aims to bridge the gap between the hassle of testing and the long wait times for results.
This initiative likewise addresses some of the barriers that prevent patients from benefiting from biomarker-driven cancer treatments such as sequential or no biomarker testing, lack of funding, and low awareness.
“The goal here is for people to take the test, ang mahirap kasi makita pa lang ang presyo ayaw na nila. The price alone can hinder them from taking the test so now it’s accessible for all,” said Ongsue-Lee.
“Hit the Mark” aims that soon, more partner laboratories and the inclusion of more biomarkers will ultimately help all eligible patients get tested and potentially benefit from precision medicine.
Also present during the launch was Engr. Emer Rojas, a laryngeal cancer survivor and president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) which is a cancer prevention, person with disabilities (PWD), and tobacco control advocacy group. Rojas emphasized the need for the full implementation of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and the adequate funding of the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) so that more patients can benefit from accessible diagnostic and laboratory services.
Driving equity for testing
Given the complexity of the precision medicine landscape, only an intersectoral multi-stakeholder approach including patients as partners can unlock and realize the potential of precision medicine for patients who could benefit.
FT3 Executive Director Helena Harnik explained the From Testing to Targeted Treatments (FT3) Program during the launch through a video message. FT3 is a not for profit, open and global community of practice dedicated to better patient outcomes by bringing to life the potential of personalized healthcare.
As a collaborative program, FT3 is trying to identify potential collaborative solutions and replicable global best practices to enable more equitable access to precision medicine for those who could benefit. As a global convenor, FT3 is working towards local impact. To implement locally, FT3 brings these global learnings and resources to support champions who can apply them to the local context.
After launching its first two pilots in Spain and Hungary last year, FT3 is embarking on an important journey with the launch of the Philippines pilot program for cancer care. Dedicated to better patient experiences, this initiative works to overcome obstacles that prevent people from accessing personalized healthcare.