Abstract 1731P
Background
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic introduced a dangerous distraction effect in all aspects of oncological patients’ care. The aim of this research was to explore the effect of the pandemic on the efficacy of the largest molecular diagnostics centre for cancer patients and high-risk individuals in Serbia (IORS).
Methods
EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, BRCA1/2 mutation testing of advanced lung adenocarcinoma, metastatic colorectal, metastatic melanoma and ovarian cancer patients were performed by qPCR and NGS. NGS was also used for panel testing of hereditary breast cancer and cancers associated with Lynch syndrome. IORS's analytical output during the two-month long state of emergency was compared to the two-month period prior to the outbreak.
Results
A 57% reduction (188 vs. 81) in the total number of patients that were referred to IORS for targeted molecular testing was detected (EGFR - prior to initiation of TKI therapy 55 vs 26 patients, at progression 21 vs 4; KRAS 73 vs 34, BRAF 39 vs. 17). Due to the prolonged transport of the necessary consumables and the fact that two essential laboratory personnel were absent from the Institute (sensitive category and obligatory quarantine), somatic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations was not performed at all during the state of emergency. All new high-risk individuals with the referral for genetic counselling had to be postponed, so the lockdown was used to test the patients who were waiting for results. The number of NGS analyses for high-risk individuals increased by 50 % during the outbreak (36 vs. 72) and post-test genetic counselling was successfully performed by phone and/or web calls.
Conclusions
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a profound negative effect on the overall diagnostic output of the centralized molecular diagnostics for cancer patients and high-risk individuals in Serbia. This effect will be further evaluated through the analysis of both the survival and quality of life of the cancer patients that were unable to receive targeted therapies in a timely efficient manner. The only positive effect of the pandemic was that the waiting lists for genetic testing of high-risk individuals were shortened.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.