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. 2010 May;8(5):615-24.
doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2010.0046.

Extending comprehensive cancer center expertise in clinical cancer genetics and genomics to diverse communities: the power of partnership

Deborah J MacDonald  1 , Kathleen R Blazer, Jeffrey N Weitzel
Affiliations

Extending comprehensive cancer center expertise in clinical cancer genetics and genomics to diverse communities: the power of partnership

Deborah J MacDonald et al. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010 May.

Abstract

Rapidly evolving genetic and genomic technologies for genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) are revolutionizing the approach to targeted therapy and cancer screening and prevention, heralding the era of personalized medicine. Although many academic medical centers provide GCRA services, most people receive their medical care in the community setting. However, few community clinicians have the knowledge or time needed to adequately select, apply, and interpret genetic/genomic tests. This article describes alternative approaches to the delivery of GCRA services, profiling the City of Hope Cancer Screening & Prevention Program Network (CSPPN) academic and community-based health center partnership as a model for the delivery of the highest-quality evidence-based GCRA services while promoting research participation in the community setting. Growth of the CSPPN was enabled by information technology, with videoconferencing for telemedicine and Web conferencing for remote participation in interdisciplinary genetics tumor boards. Grant support facilitated the establishment of an underserved minority outreach clinic in the regional County hospital. Innovative clinician education, technology, and collaboration are powerful tools to extend GCRA expertise from a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, enabling diffusion of evidenced-base genetic/genomic information and best practice into the community setting.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Clinical Utility of Genetic and Genomic Testing
Legend included in figure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Program incorporates the robust clinical research resources of the City of Hope Department Cancer Screening and Prevention Program, and the multifaceted training expertise Cancer Genetics Education Program (CGEP), initiated in 1997 with guidance and expertise from the COH Dept of Nursing Education. The Cancer Genetics Career Development Program maximizes the resources and expertise of the CGEP for cancer genetics Program Leadership training. The program offers multi-institutional academic and research mentorship resources through collaborations with the City of Hope Beckman Research Institute and the Department of Preventive Medicine at University of Southern California. The community clinician education component is detailed in the text. Feedback from patients as stakeholders is accomplished via a series of conferences, with mixed methods collection of data. An advisory committee to the CGEP is comprised of key faculty in Nursing Research and Education, the Beckman Research Institute, and intra-and extramural professionals from the fields of education, law, bioethics, molecular genetics and preventive medicine, as well as community-based advocates.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Clinical Cancer Genetics (CCG) Working Group
Legend included in figure.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Legend included in figure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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