Utilization of next generation sequencing (NGS) in stage IV gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients (pts) and efficacy of electronic reminder notification (ERN) in improving utilization of NGS in the private practice community-based setting.

73 Background: NGS testing allows for identification of genetic mutations/alterations that can be important in determining treatment options for advanced cancer pts. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) includes NGS testing as part of standard of care for many tumor types including stage IV pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer and all other GI solid tumor types. Previous reports have described the utilization of NGS in clinical practice at academic centers. To our knowledge this is the first report in the private practice setting. Methods: For the historical portion, we established baseline data to quantify NGS testing frequency in stage IV GI tumor pts in our community based oncology practice by performing a retrospective chart review. In the prospective portion, the intervention of an ERN was used to alert treating physicians if NGS had not been done. Primary endpoint is the percent (%) of pts with NGS sent compared to historical control. Secondary endpoint is the % of pts with targeted therapy options made available to them. Results: In a private practice multi-office setting, 200 charts of pts with stage IV GI cancer using Flatiron’s OncoEMR software were reviewed for the retrospective cohort between July 1 to December 31, 2020. Of the 200, 44.5% (89 pts) had colon cancer, 17.5% (35 pts) had pancreatic cancer, 15% (30 pts) had rectal cancer, and 23% (46 pts) had other types of GI cancer. Of these, 87 (43.5%) pts had NGS testing; of which 41 of 89 (46.0%) are colon pts, 13 of 35 (37.1%) are pancreatic pts and 16 of 30 (53.3%) are rectal pts. For the prospective portion, between July 1 and August 15, 2021 each physician’s schedule was evaluated and an ERN was sent shortly before each Stage IV GI pt was to be seen. A total of 114 pts were reviewed, and 92 (79%) had NGS sent. Of these, 47 pts of 54 (87%) are colon pts, 12 of 15 (80%) are pancreatic pts, 16 of 21(76%) are rectal pts, and 17 of 24 (70%) are pts with other GI cancer. 2% of pts with NGS testing had a potentially actionable mutation identified. Conclusions: NGS testing is standard of care for pts with stage IV GI cancer that wish to pursue therapy. ERN was minimally helpful in increasing NGS testing. This may be in part due to the effect of the practice's emphasis on NGS testing, which increased its baseline prospective testing rate. Increased use of a team based approach in the office would be a key element to increasing compliance with the current workflow as well as use of pathways which embed the NGS testing into the treatment plan. A more robust EMR would also be vital in increasing NGS testing rates by the use of automatic reminders or order sets. Better support of the physician and use of multiple touch points is necessary until full automation is utilized for NGS testing.