Real‐world study of next‐generation sequencing diagnostic biomarker testing for patients with lung cancer in Japan

Our previous real‐world studies raised concerns that sequential biomarker testing may lead to increased time to treatment when compared with simultaneous single biomarker testing. The Oncomine Dx target test (ODxTT), a next‐generation sequencing–based multiplex biomarker panel test approved in Japan in 2019, is expected to improve time to treatment due to changes in testing methods. This retrospective observational study examined data claims for reimbursement submitted for patients with lung cancer in Japan between June 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020. To evaluate the change in testing prevalence over time and associated improvements in time to treatment, descriptive statistics were used to characterize biomarker testing patterns and rates and evaluate the time to treatment in the time following the approval of ODxTT considering transitions over time during the evaluation period. EGFR and programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) were the most tested biomarkers in overall single and simultaneous single testing in the 6177 patients in this study. Individual single biomarker testing gradually decreased over time, except testing for PD‐L1, which remained constant. The use of ODxTT gradually increased in this period. Time to treatment decreased from 29 to 22 days with ODxTT, in contrast to single biomarker tests (median 21–23 days overall). These results indicate that biomarker testing frequency changed in Japanese clinical practice during the study and that the use of ODxTT has increased over time, which potentially contributed to the shortening of time to treatment.