P05.03.a Next Generation Sequencing in High-Grade Gliomas in Europe and Asia: A Real World Analysis

BACKGROUND High-grade gliomas (HGG) are the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as an important tool for identifying biomarkers and plays a crucial role in personalized medicine. However, the implementation of biomarker testing varies across different regions, and the literature is limited. This study aims to analyze patterns of biomarker testing in clinical practice across Europe and Asia, providing insights into the evolving landscape of molecular diagnostics and personalized treatment for this highly lethal disease. MATERIAL & METHODS This study utilized IQVIA’s Oncology Dynamics, an oncology-specific, multi-country, cross-sectional survey, which collects anonymized patient-level data from a panel of physicians reporting information on drug-treated cancer patients. HGG patients in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Turkey) and Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and India) between January 2022 and December 2024 were evaluated for the prevalence of NGS testing. RESULTS A total of 4,007 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent HGG were included in this analysis, with 1,035 patients from Asia and 2,792 patients from Europe. NGS testing was performed in 10% (102) of Asian patients and 26% (734) of European patients. Among newly diagnosed cases, NGS was performed in 9% (80) of Asian patients and 25% (589) of European patients. Meanwhile, in recurrent cases, the prevalence of NGS testing was 19% (22) in Asia and 31% (145) in Europe. Regarding the timing of NGS testing, most patients were tested at diagnosis, with 77% of tested Asian patients and 89% of tested European patients receiving NGS at this stage. Among newly diagnosed patients, testing at diagnosis was even more prevalent (Asia: 88%; Europe: 96%). Overall, the percentage of tested patients was higher in the UK, where 53% (278) of patients underwent testing, followed by France (34%) and Italy (24%). NGS was performed in only 10% of patients in China, and 4% of patients in India. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show a geographical variation in NGS testing for HGG, with Europe demonstrating higher adoption compared to Asia. The UK and France lead in testing prevalence, particularly in newly diagnosed cases, whereas Asian countries exhibit lower testing rates. These findings suggest potential barriers to access, such as cost, infrastructure, or differences in clinical guidelines. Testing mainly occurs at diagnosis, with limited uptake during later treatment stages. The data suggest a need for increased NGS accessibility, particularly in Asia. Enhancing NGS access could improve treatment precision and outcomes for HGG patients around the globe. Additionally, longitudinal studies correlating biomarker testing with molecular-guided treatment in HGG are needed to better assess the clinical utility of the test.