{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Virtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors.
{Author}: Rogers JL;Wall T;Acquaye-Mallory AA;Boris L;Kim Y;Aldape K;Quezado MM;Butman JA;Smirniotopoulos JG;Chaudhry H;Tsien CI;Chittiboina P;Zaghloul K;Aboud O;Avgeropoulos NG;Burton EC;Cachia DM;Dixit KS;Drappatz J;Dunbar EM;Forsyth P;Komlodi-Pasztor E;Mandel J;Ozer BH;Lee EQ;Ranjan S;Lukas RV;Raygada M;Salacz ME;Smith-Cohn MA;Snyder J;Soldatos A;Theeler BJ;Widemann BC;Camphausen KA;Heiss JD;Armstrong TS;Gilbert MR;Penas-Prado M;
{Journal}: J Neurooncol
{Volume}: 167
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 2024 Apr 1
{Factor}: 4.506
{DOI}: 10.1007/s11060-024-04613-6
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) integrate clinical, molecular, and radiological information and facilitate coordination of neuro-oncology care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our MTB transitioned to a virtual and multi-institutional format. We hypothesized that this expansion would allow expert review of challenging neuro-oncology cases and contribute to the care of patients with limited access to specialized centers.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We retrospectively reviewed records from virtual MTBs held between 04/2020-03/2021. Data collected included measures of potential clinical impact, including referrals to observational or therapeutic studies, referrals for specialized neuropathology analysis, and whether molecular findings led to a change in diagnosis and/or guided management suggestions.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>During 25 meetings, 32 presenters discussed 44 cases. Approximately half (n = 20; 48%) involved a rare central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In 21% (n = 9) the diagnosis was changed or refined based on molecular profiling obtained at the NIH and in 36% (n = 15) molecular findings guided management. Clinical trial suggestions were offered to 31% (n = 13), enrollment in the observational NCI Natural History Study to 21% (n = 9), neuropathology review and molecular testing at the NIH to 17% (n = 7), and all received management suggestions.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Virtual multi-institutional MTBs enable remote expert review of CNS tumors. We propose them as a strategy to facilitate expert opinions from specialized centers, especially for rare CNS tumors, helping mitigate geographic barriers to patient care and serving as a pre-screening tool for studies. Advanced molecular testing is key to obtaining a precise diagnosis, discovering potentially actionable targets, and guiding management.