Schulz Gerald B, Stief Christian G, Saar Matthias, Vögeli Thomas-Alexander, Todenhöfer Tilman, Knüchel Ruth, Gaisa Nadine T
Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum der Universität München (LMU), München, Deutschland.
Klinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland.
Urologe A. 2021 Oct;60(10):1349-1358. doi: 10.1007/s00120-021-01640-3. Epub 2021 Sep 22.
In the future, precision medicine with agents targeting specific genetic alterations will play an important role in bladder cancer. This includes both single genetic alterations (e.g. FGFR3) and gene panel analyses in patients with no further therapeutic options, rare cancer subtypes or unusual clinical courses. These molecular analyses can be carried out on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples and the results should be discussed in interdisciplinary molecular tumor boards in order to either recommend approved targeted therapies or suggest patients for molecular-based clinical trials, compassionate use programs or off-label use of drugs. The remuneration of molecular diagnostics is largely well-represented for the outpatient sector in Germany; however, the covering of treatment costs must currently be approved by the health insurances.