Precision Oncology and the Universal Health Coverage System in Japan

Abstract

Although precision oncology is transforming clinical management of patients with cancer, many hospitals face challenges to effectively implement precision oncology. In addition, the cost and time exerted for genomic profiling needs to be balanced with expectations of benefit for each patient. This article summarizes the effort to implement precision oncology in Japan. The most promising development is that tests to profile the genomes of select cancers are now fully covered by the national health insurance system. In May 2019, two gene panels were approved with reimbursement: FoundationOne CDx Cancer Genomic Profile and OncoGuide NCC Oncopanel System, the latter of which was developed in Japan. To make better use of scarce resources, the reimbursement is restricted to patients with solid tumors that have progressed on standard chemotherapy, rare tumors, or tumors of unknown primary. To centralize Japanese precision oncology, the government designated approximately 170 hospitals and stratified them to three layers on the basis of their roles. In addition, Japan's National Cancer Center launched a Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) that collects genomic information and clinical characteristics of patients who received genomic profiling tests. C-CAT is expected to be the central data repository, to match patients with clinical trials, and to assist translational research. The centralized system under the national health insurance system could be a double-edged sword. Although tight regulation may make it hard to keep up with the rapid development of precision oncology, a federated ecosystem for sharing clinical and genomic data will be a precious asset and allow for shared access to data. Access to unapproved drugs and administrative support from C-CAT will be keys for Japanese precision oncology to meet its full potential.

FIG 1.

The three-layer structure of designated institutes for precision oncology in Japan. Notably, core and hub hospitals are allowed to run genome panels in-house, whereas liaison hospitals refer these tests to core/hub hospitals. However, most hospitals outsource these genomic profiling tests to a clinical testing company in Japan.

FIG 2.

Expected roles of the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT). AI, artificial intelligence; MTB, molecular tumor board.

FIG 3.

Flow and reimbursements for cancer genomic profiling tests. C-CAT, Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics; JPY, Japanese yen; NCC, National Cancer Center.