The PCM4EU consortium has published a study aimed to assess the current status of precision cancer medicine (PCM) in EU: "A comprehensive assessment of the existing landscape of personalized cancer medicine in the European Union, on behalf of the PCM4EU consortium" is published in the journal ESMO Open.

Three distinct questionnaires were developed for medical oncologists, pathologists, and patients, focusing on the use of molecular diagnostics in countries participating in the PCM4EU consortium. Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer, who underwent molecular diagnostics, were eligible to complete the patient questionnaire.

In the period July 2024 - February 2025, fourteen countries completed the medical oncologist and pathologist questionnaires:

• Equitable access to molecular diagnostics was reported by 4 out of 14 countries
• Tumor-specific biomarkers matching approved targeted therapies were more often tested than tumor-agnostic biomarkers
• Molecular tumor boards were established in 13 out of 14 countries

In total, 288 patients from 16 countries completed the patient questionnaire, and they highlight the need for more understandable information regarding molecular diagnostics and genetic counseling.

In conclusion, Haj Mohammad et al. assessed the implementation of PCM in Europe and identified persistent inequalities, ranging from disparities in available biomarker testing techniques to their reimbursement, and shortcomings in communication to patients.

By facilitating access to similar treatments across countries with the establishment of a Drug Rediscovery Protocol-like clinical trials network, and accelerating data generation by sharing data, patients in Europe are one step closer to equitable access to precision oncology.

‍

Access to the full publication:

A comprehensive assessment of the existing landscape of personalized cancer medicine in the European Union, on behalf of the PCM4EU consortium

‍

‍

‍

‍