Online Platform Boosts Germline⁢ Testing for Colorectal Cancer ⁢Patients

Updated May 31, 2025

CHICAGO — A new online platform shows promise in expanding access to germline testing and overcoming related⁣ obstacles for individuals facing cancer. Findings presented at the ASCO annual Meeting highlight ⁢the platform’s effectiveness.

The study focused on individuals newly diagnosed with young-onset colorectal cancer. Results indicated that nearly all participants who independently‍ navigated the entire online platform successfully completed germline testing. This innovative approach also decreased the demand for pretest genetic counseling resources in approximately 50% of cases.

According to Julie Moskowitz,a certified genetic counselor ⁤at The University⁤ of Texas⁣ MD Anderson cancer Center,the ⁣platform’s success underscores the potential of online care delivery models to enhance “accessibility and autonomy” in germline testing for colorectal cancer and personalized⁣ care.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the uptake, and the fact a majority of patients who completed our online process followed through with genetic testing,” Moskowitz saeid. “this approach also⁣ allows for⁣ genetic counselors to perform at the top of ⁤their scope of practice.”

The National Extensive Cancer Network now recommends global germline testing for all⁣ individuals⁤ diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50. Identifying the 20% who have a germline cancer ‍predisposition is crucial for tailored treatment strategies.

Moskowitz ⁣explained that test results ⁤can significantly influence surgical decisions. For ⁣instance, an APC mutation⁣ might necessitate more extensive surgery, ⁣while a mismatch repair mutation⁢ could impact immunotherapy choices. The rising incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer, coupled with limited genetic counseling resources, has‍ created a need for streamlined testing processes.

Moskowitz ⁤and her team⁤ evaluated the self-navigable online platform in a prospective quality‍ improvement ⁣trial.The interactive platform facilitated self-eligibility screening, pretest education via‍ video counseling, consent submission, and arrangements for sample⁢ collection.

The study involved 377 patients ⁣with young-onset colorectal cancer offered a standardized care pathway that included universal germline testing. patients could opt for⁣ in-person or virtual genetic ‍counseling, but those not ⁢engaging with the platform after three invitations were automatically referred for counseling. The primary outcome was the universal germline testing completion rate.

Of the 160 eligible patients in the final analysis,63% actively engaged with the platform. Among those, 89% completed universal germline testing.Lack of engagement led to ⁢automatic genetic counseling referral for 60 patients,⁣ with 32% completing genetic testing by the data cutoff. The ⁢platform spared⁢ pretest genetic counseling workforce involvement for 49% of eligible patients.

“Sometiems patients feel they have all the details they need on the front ⁣end prior ⁣to meeting ⁢with us. For patients who do ⁢have more questions, though, ⁢this allows us to get into more in-depth conversations,” Moskowitz said. “When patients test positive, we also can take the time necessary to give⁢ patients the correct information about what a⁢ gene mutation means to them and their family members, and hopefully facilitate cascade testing for other family members.”

The online platform will continue to be used in the pilot group.⁣ Moskowitz hopes to expand it to broader populations and other ⁣institutions.

What’s next

The team plans to explore expanding the ⁣online⁣ platform to other MD Anderson locations and potentially other⁢ institutions to reach a broader population in need of germline testing for colorectal cancer.