BACKGROUND

Although precision oncology has rapidly been developed in recent years, its real-world impact and challenges in health care implementation remain underexplored. Through a meta-analysis of real-world evidence (RWE), we aimed at investigating the applicability and clinical impact of comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) in cancer patients with metastatic solid tumors.

METHODS

We systematically searched Medline, Embase, and Web of Science for RWE studies on CGP and matched therapies in metastatic solid tumors (publication period: 2012-2023). Pooled proportions of actionable genomic alterations, patients treated with matched targeted therapies, treatment, and survival outcomes were calculated. Data from Swedish cancer registries were used as a case study for nationwide CGP implementation.

RESULTS

Out of the 7218 identified studies, 144 were included in our analysis; 59.8% of CGP-tested patients had actionable genomic alterations, with 15.6% (95% CI = 13.4% to 18.2%) of them having received targeted therapy. Objective response was seen in 23.9% (95% CI = 20.8% to 27.3%). Overall, CGP-guided treatment was correlated with prolonged progression-free survival (pooled hazard ratio [HR] = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.70; 18 studies) and overall survival (pooled HR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.70; 21 studies) when compared to conventional treatment. Meta-regression time projections analyses showed that these rates will steadily increase by 2030.

CONCLUSIONS

Pooled analyses of RWE studies indicate that approximately one-fourth of the patients receiving CGP-matched treatment have an objective response. By utilizing meta-regression projections, our nationwide cancer registry case study offers insights into the potential of precision oncology for patients with metastatic cancer and to inform future health care strategies.