Molecular tumor board availability and organization in sarcoma referral centers in Italy: are we on the right track? - Report - MDSpire

Molecular tumor board availability and organization in sarcoma referral centers in Italy: are we on the right track?

  • By

  • Concetta Elisa Onesti

  • Beatrice Casini

  • Annarosaria De Chiara

  • Valentina Fausti

  • Roberto Luksch

  • Giuseppe Maria Milano

  • Emanuela Palmerini

  • Sabrina Vari

  • Serena Ceddia

  • Federica Riva

  • Toni Ibrahim

  • Renato Covello

  • Gennaro Ciliberto

  • Katia Scotlandi

  • Virginia Ferraresi

  • June 3, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Assessment of Molecular Tumor Board Structure in Italy

Overview

This report evaluates the organization and accessibility of molecular tumor boards (MTBs) in Italian sarcoma treatment centers. Findings indicate that while most centers have established MTBs, there is significant variability in their composition and the genomic analyses offered.

Background

Molecular tumor boards play a critical role in the evaluation of individualized treatment options for patients with rare cancers like sarcoma. As new targeted therapies emerge, the need for standardized MTB practices becomes increasingly important to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This study highlights the current state of MTBs in Italy, providing insights into their structure and functionality.

Data Highlights

MetricPercentage
Centers with MTB100%
Centers meeting ACC criteria83%
Analysis of both primary and metastases83%
Whole exome sequencing availability100%
Whole genome sequencing availability83%
RNA sequencing availability53%

Key Findings

  • 83% of centers had a dedicated oncologist present during MTB discussions.
  • All centers offered target panel sequencing and whole exome sequencing.
  • 67% of centers reported analysis times exceeding 10 days.
  • 83% of centers stored results locally and maintained a clinical data database.
  • Variability in bioinformatics tools used for variant interpretation was noted across centers.

Clinical Implications

The findings underscore the necessity for standardized protocols in the organization and functioning of MTBs to enhance the delivery of precision medicine in sarcoma treatment. Clinicians should advocate for improved infrastructure and training to optimize the use of genomic profiling in rare cancers.

Conclusion

This assessment reveals that while progress has been made in establishing MTBs in Italian sarcoma centers, further standardization and expertise development are essential to improve patient care and treatment outcomes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. The ASCO Post, 2014 -- Advances in Sarcoma Owe Much to Children’s Oncology Group
  2. The ASCO Post, 2014 -- Impact of Tumor Boards on Cancer Care
  3. Acta Neuropathologica, 2013 -- Insights from the Third Annual International Medulloblastoma Working Group Meeting in Australia
  4. ESMO Precision Oncology Working Group recommendations on the structure and quality indicators for molecular tumour boards in clinical practice
  5. Systematic review and meta-analysis of molecular tumor board data on clinical effectiveness and evaluation gaps - PubMed
  6. Progress in Multidisciplinary Surgical Strategies for Primary Spinal Sarcomas: Findings from a Retrospective Case Series on Patient Outcomes and Survival Rates
  7. ESMO Precision Oncology Working Group recommendations on the structure and quality indicators for molecular tumour boards in clinical practice
  8. Systematic review and meta-analysis of molecular tumor board data on clinical effectiveness and evaluation gaps - PubMed
  9. Genomic, transcriptomic, and immunogenomic landscape of over 1300 sarcomas of diverse histology subtypes | Nature Communications

Original Source(s)

Molecular tumor board availability and organization in sarcoma referral centers in Italy: are we on the right track?

  • by Concetta Elisa Onesti, Beatrice Casini, Annarosaria De Chiara, Valentina Fausti, Roberto Luksch, Giuseppe Maria Milano, Emanuela Palmerini, Sabrina Vari, Serena Ceddia, Federica Riva, Toni Ibrahim, Renato Covello, Gennaro Ciliberto, Katia Scotlandi, Virginia Ferraresi

  • June 3, 2026

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