Herbert Loong, an Advisor at the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute and a Steering Committee Member at the Lung Cancer Policy Network, recently discussed the state of precision oncology in Asia. He emphasized the significant opportunity for advancements in this field, noting, “Precision oncology in Asia: big opportunity, uneven access.” Loong’s comments follow the publication of a new open-access review in the *Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology*, titled *‘Molecular Profiling in Asia: The Current Status and Approach,’* co-authored with Sewanti Limaye, Mahin Bhatt, and Judy Ka Hei Chan.
According to the review, which examines the current landscape of molecular profiling, approximately 60% of the global population resides in Asia, yet the availability of biomarker-driven cancer care is largely limited to urban and academic centers. The authors evaluate several key areas of molecular profiling technology, including:
- Next-generation sequencing: Currently dominated by hotspot panels, although comprehensive genomic profiling, including whole exome and whole genome sequencing, is emerging.
- Liquid biopsy: Utilizing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for real-time monitoring of treatment response and resistance without the need for repeat biopsies.
- Multiomics: The integration of various molecular data types to inform treatment decisions.
- Molecular tumor boards: Expert panels that analyze complex results to make therapy and clinical trial enrollment recommendations.
Despite these advancements, significant barriers remain, including high costs and limited insurance reimbursement, uneven healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of molecular pathologists, bioinformaticians, and genetic counselors. Additionally, there is a lack of genomic data specifically representing Asian populations.
Loong and his co-authors suggest several proposals to address these challenges, including improved education for both physicians and patients, broader implementation of trial-matching platforms, and the creation of genomic datasets tailored for the Asian region. They assert that Asia possesses both the scale and scientific capability to excel in precision oncology, with the imperative now being to ensure equitable and accessible care for all patients.
The full review is available as open access at the *Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology*.
