Rapid Fire Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Evaluating a Consortium-Based Molecular Tumour Board: Improving Access to Precision Oncology Across Metropolitan and Regional Victoria (146054)

Lama Karroum 1 2 , Melissa Southey 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 , Mark Shackleton 1 8 9 10
  1. MPCCC, Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  2. School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Victorian Cancer Biobank, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Biobanking Victoria Initiative, Monash Health Translation Precinct , Clayton, VIC, Australia
  5. Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  6. Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  7. Department of Clinical Pathology, The Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  8. Department of Oncology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  9. School of Translational Medicine , Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  10. Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials Ltd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Aim

To evaluate the clinical activity, geographic reach and implementation outcomes of a consortium-wide Molecular Tumour Board (MTB) supporting precision oncology across metropolitan and regional cancer services in Victoria.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) MTB registry was undertaken for patients referred between March 2023 and October 2025 following implementation of a redesigned consortium-wide MTB model. Registry data were analysed to describe referral activity, patient characteristics, tumour types, multidisciplinary participation, genomic findings, geographic reach and MTB recommendations. Findings were interpreted alongside published evidence to identify implementation challenges and opportunities for sustainable precision oncology delivery.

Results

Between August 2023 to October 2025, 327 patients were referred, with 265 cases discussed across 53 MTBs. Patients represented a broad range of tumour types, including hepatobiliary pancreatic (33%), gynaecological (11%), lung (10%) and rare or cancer of unknown primary (8%) malignancies. Regional referrals increased by 40%, demonstrating improved access to precision oncology expertise beyond metropolitan centres. The MTB reviewed 416 clinically significant genomic variants across 138 genes, with KRAS, TP53 and EGFR discussed most frequently. Of 200 patients with formal MTB reports, 190 (95%) received recommendations for changes in clinical management, including 145 clinical trial recommendations, 82 targeted therapy recommendations and 77 recommendations for additional molecular or pathology investigations. Key implementation challenges included workforce capacity, turnaround times, equitable access to therapies and trials, digital interoperability and long-term sustainability.

Conclusions

A consortium-based MTB model can extend access to precision oncology across geographically diverse health services while supporting multidisciplinary decision-making and clinical trial access. Evaluation of MTB performance should extend beyond traditional clinical outcomes to include implementation, workforce, operational and equity measures. These findings provide practical evidence to inform development of sustainable precision oncology services nationally.