In 2016, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) launched the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) to provide cancer patients in rural Maine with access to genome tumor testing and targeted treatments. A recent report published in npj Precision Oncology by the MCGI team revealed that while only 17% of patients received genome-matched treatments, those who did had a 31% lower likelihood of dying within one year compared to those who did not receive matched treatment. The findings suggest a significant survival benefit from genomic tumor testing and matched treatments.
The study identified various reasons why cancer patients did not receive genome-matched treatments after their tumor’s DNA was sequenced. Some patients did not have actionable tumor variants detected, while others were unable to participate in clinical trials or their community hospital could not deliver a treatment that was already available. Jens Rueter, chief medical officer of JAX and medical director of MCGI, highlighted the challenges in delivering care to patients in rural Maine and the obstacles they face in accessing advanced treatment options.
MCGI, led by Rueter and former JAX President and CEO Edison Liu, was established to address the lack of local access to genomic testing and targeted therapy for cancer patients in Maine. Over the course of four years, MCGI partnered with all 13 oncology practices in Maine and enrolled over 1,600 patients. The program focused on providing genomic education to healthcare professionals, offering free genomic tumor testing to patients, and providing detailed consultation on test results through a genomic tumor board.
Follow-up data from MCGI patients showed that those who did not receive genome-matched treatments had a higher mortality rate within one year compared to those who did receive matched treatment. Even though only 9% of the genome-matched group participated in clinical trials, they were still 31% less likely to die within the first year. The study highlighted the impact of precision oncology in improving patient outcomes and emphasized the need to expand access to biomarker-driven clinical trials for cancer patients in rural areas.
Despite the limitations of the study, such as the primarily white and non-Hispanic patient population and the free provision of genomic testing, the MCGI program has shown positive impacts on patient outcomes over the past seven years. Moving forward, the program aims to improve the delivery of precision oncology care by providing more access to biomarker-driven clinical trials and using mobile outreach to reach patients who may have difficulty accessing treatment. The success of MCGI in Maine may serve as a model for expanding access to genomic tumor testing and targeted treatments in other states with significant rural populations.