Patient/parent perspectives on genomic tumor profiling of pediatric solid tumors: The Individualized Cancer Therapy (iCat) experience.

BACKGROUND

Genomic tumor profiling (GTP) plays an important role in the care of many adult cancer patients. Its role in pediatric oncology is still evolving, with only a subset of patients currently expected to receive clinically significant results. Little is known about perspectives of pediatric oncology patients/parents on GTP.

PROCEDURE

We surveyed individuals who previously underwent GTP through the iCat (Individualized Cancer Therapy) pilot study of molecular profiling in children with relapsed, refractory, and high-risk solid tumors at four pediatric cancer centers. Following return of profiling results, a cross-sectional survey was offered to the patient, if he or she was 18 years or older at enrollment, or parent, if he or she was under 18 years of age. Forty-five surveys (85% response) were completed.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine percent (39/44) of respondents reported hoping participation would help find cures for future patients, while 59% (26/44) hoped it would increase their/their child's chance of cure. Most had few concerns about GTP, but 12% (5/43) worried they would learn their/their child's cancer was less treatable or more aggressive than previously thought. Sixty-four percent (29/45) reported feeling their participation had helped others and 44% (20/45) felt they had helped themselves/their own child, despite only one substudy subject receiving targeted therapy matched to GTP findings. Fifty-four percent (21/39) wished to receive all available profiling data, including findings unrelated to cancer and of unclear significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants in pediatric GTP research perceive benefits of GTP to themselves and others, but expectations of personal benefits of GTP may exceed actual positive impact. These issues warrant consideration during consent discussions about GTP research participation.