Understanding barriers to the introduction of precision medicine in non-small cell lung cancer: a qualitative interview study [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Background: While treatments targeting genetic mutations and alterations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been available since 2010, the adoption of such examples of precision medicine into clinical practice has historically been slow. This means that patients with NSCLC may not have received life improving and extending treatments which should have been available to them. The purpose of this qualitative interview study was to identify the barriers to the provision of examples of precision medicine for NSCLC.
Methods: This study used semi-structured telephone interviews with clinicians, test providers and service commissioners to identify the perceived barriers to providing historical, current, and future examples of precision medicine in NSCLC. Participants were identified through mailing list advertisements and snowball sampling. The qualitative data was analysed using a framework analysis.
Results: Interviews were conducted with 11 participants including: five oncologists; three pathologists; two clinical geneticists; and one service commissioner. A total of 17 barriers to the introduction of precision medicine for NSCLC were identified and these were grouped into five themes: the regulation of precision medicine and tests; the commissioning and reimbursement of tests and the testing process; the complexity of the logistics around providing tests; centralisation or localisation of test provision; and opinions about future developments in precision medicine for NSCLC.
Conclusions: A number of barriers exist to the introduction of precision medicine in NSCLC. Addressing these barriers may improve access to novel life improving and extending treatments for patients.