NNECOS was pleased to award an Educational Program Grant to The Jackson Laboratory's Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) in support of their monthly Genomic Tumor Boards (GTBs). The MCGI has been hosting GTBs for community oncologists in Maine for nine years, and NNECOS is thrilled to support MCGI in offering GTBs to oncologists in New Hampshire and Vermont. 

Please see the information below provided from Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative to learn more about upcoming Tumor Board dates and the opportunity for oncologists in our community to submit a case for discussion.

The Jackson Laboratory’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is partnering with NNECOS to hold monthly Genomic Tumor Board (GTB) for providers in Northern New England who may have questions regarding genomic, biomarker, or genetic test results. MCGI discusses cases with any type of genomic tumor testing (Foundation, Tempus, Caris, academic lab etc.) or genetic testing (Invitae, Ambry, Myriad, etc.) results that you either find interesting or have specific questions regarding the test results. A panel of internal Jackson Laboratory and external experts will participate on the GTB to discuss the case and answer any questions. 

MCGI has reserved Tuesday, June 17th, at 12:15 p.m. for our first NNECOS sponsored GTB. This GTB will be held virtually on Zoom.

If you have a case you would like discussed, please submit de-identified reports and brief clinical summaries  to mcgi@jax.org by Monday June 9th. Use our online submission tool instead of email if you prefer. Other clinics have found it easy to use.

In the event that you have a case to discuss but this particular GTB does not work with your schedule please complete this doodle poll to identify additional times that work better for your schedule: https://doodle.com/group-poll/participate/e3V3OyOd

If you are interested in attending a Northern New England GTB with MCGI, please send an email to mcgi@jax.org

Please feel free to pass this opportunity along to your colleagues!

The Jackson Laboratory is a not–for-profit biomedical research institute based in Maine and an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. The MCGI has been hosting GTBs for community oncologists in Maine for nine years. We are excited to partner with NNECOS to offer GTBs to the other states in northern New England.

Background info:

A Genomic tumor board (GTB) consists of a team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who collaborate to review genomic tumor tests (GTT). These boards function to analyze results of GTTs to help guide potential treatment decisions using the latest clinical evidence. The goal of these sessions is to work together to provide interpretation support for clinicians and engage community oncologists in a robust discussion of treatment options for the patient and evaluate actionable results.

The Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) was initially developed by The Jackson Laboratory to help an important need in Maine’s rural cancer care; the need for innovative ways to address the treatment gap between community oncology care and academic medical center-level care. The MCGI is an alliance of Maine oncology providers. Its primary goal is to reduce disparities in access to advanced technologies for cancer care and precision oncology. Since its establishment, MCGI has provided Genomic Tumor Board discussions for approximately 1,000 Maine cancer patients with genomic tumor test results, onboarded every oncology practice in Maine, brought new precision oncology clinical trials to the state and more. Initially driven by the need for greater availability of cancer genomic testing for Maine's cancer patients, MCGI has become a model for community precision oncology, or personalized cancer care, in a rural setting. With this proven to be successful we are now working with NNECOS to expand this offering in other states in northern New England.

Benefits to joining a GTB:

Participants will gain knowledge and confidence

• Access to a specialty consultation from national experts in the field with extensive experience using clinical genomic tumor testing results to guide patient care
• Improve quality of care for the New England population with a goal of reducing disparities and improving equity

The NNE GTB series will foster collaboration

• Create a supportive knowledge network of community oncology providers and interaction with colleagues with similar interests