Virtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors - Report - MDSpire

Virtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors

  • By

  • James L. Rogers

  • Thomas Wall

  • Alvina A. Acquaye-Mallory

  • Lisa Boris

  • Yeonju Kim

  • Kenneth Aldape

  • Martha M. Quezado

  • John A. Butman

  • James G. Smirniotopoulos

  • Huma Chaudhry

  • Christina I. Tsien

  • Prashant Chittiboina

  • Kareem Zaghloul

  • Orwa Aboud

  • Nicholas G. Avgeropoulos

  • Eric C. Burton

  • David M. Cachia

  • Karan S. Dixit

  • Jan Drappatz

  • Erin M. Dunbar

  • Peter Forsyth

  • Edina Komlodi-Pasztor

  • Jacob Mandel

  • Byram H. Ozer

  • Eudocia Q. Lee

  • Surabhi Ranjan

  • Rimas V. Lukas

  • Margarita Raygada

  • Michael E. Salacz

  • Matthew A. Smith-Cohn

  • James Snyder

  • Ariane Soldatos

  • Brett J. Theeler

  • Brigitte C. Widemann

  • Kevin A. Camphausen

  • John D. Heiss

  • Terri S. Armstrong

  • Mark R. Gilbert

  • Marta Penas-Prado

  • March 1, 2024

  • 0 min

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Collaborative Virtual Tumor Boards Enhance Care for Rare CNS Tumors

Overview

Virtual multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) enable multi-institutional collaboration for rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors, improving diagnosis and personalized treatment. The National Cancer Institute’s virtual MTB model facilitates expert input across specialties, overcoming geographic barriers and enhancing care coordination.

Background

Multidisciplinary tumor boards are established as a quality metric in neuro-oncology, integrating expertise from neuro-oncology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neuropathology, and other specialties. Rare CNS tumors present diagnostic and management challenges due to their low prevalence and complexity, often requiring advanced molecular testing and specialized treatment plans. Traditional MTBs are mostly limited to large academic centers, but virtual platforms allow broader participation from multiple institutions. The NCI-CONNECT program focuses on rare CNS tumors and leverages virtual MTBs to optimize patient care and reduce misdiagnosis.

Data Highlights

Since transitioning to a virtual format in March 2020, the NIH Neuro-Oncology MTB expanded participation to over 30 institutions across the US, holding 2–4 meetings monthly. Presenters submit standardized case summaries prior to meetings, facilitating thorough review. The virtual MTBs include diverse specialists who review imaging, pathology, and molecular data to guide diagnosis and management, including clinical trial options.

Key Findings

  • Virtual MTBs enable remote participation from multiple institutions, increasing access to expert neuro-oncology care for rare CNS tumor patients.
  • Standardized case preparation and pre-distribution of clinical data improve meeting efficiency and discussion quality.
  • Multidisciplinary input from neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and genetic counselors enhances diagnostic accuracy and personalized treatment planning.
  • Virtual MTBs help overcome geographic and logistical barriers, facilitating timely referrals to tertiary and quaternary centers.
  • Integration of molecular and imaging data during MTBs supports tailored management strategies and identification of clinical trial opportunities.

Clinical Implications

Implementing virtual multi-institutional MTBs can improve care coordination and diagnostic precision for patients with rare CNS tumors, especially in settings lacking local expertise. This approach supports personalized treatment planning and may reduce delays in referral and management. Clinicians should consider virtual MTBs as a valuable tool to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and optimize outcomes for complex neuro-oncology cases.

Conclusion

Virtual multidisciplinary tumor boards represent a feasible and impactful strategy to enhance personalized diagnosis and treatment of rare CNS tumors by leveraging multi-institutional expertise and overcoming traditional access barriers. This model holds promise for broader adoption in neuro-oncology practice.

References

  1. Snyder et al. 2017 -- Benefits of Neuro-Oncology MTBs
  2. Khalafallah et al. 2020 -- Utility of Neuro-Oncology MTBs
  3. Schäfer et al. 2021 -- Feasibility of Virtual Neuro-Oncology MTBs
  4. Gaudino et al. 2022 -- Neuro-Oncology MTB Experience in Italy
  5. Ivanovic et al. -- MTB Participation and Diagnostic Accuracy
  6. NCI-CONNECT Program -- Rare CNS Tumor Research and Care

Original Source(s)

Virtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors

  • by James L. Rogers, Thomas Wall, Alvina A. Acquaye-Mallory, Lisa Boris, Yeonju Kim, Kenneth Aldape, Martha M. Quezado, John A. Butman, James G. Smirniotopoulos, Huma Chaudhry, Christina I. Tsien, Prashant Chittiboina, Kareem Zaghloul, Orwa Aboud, Nicholas G. Avgeropoulos, Eric C. Burton, David M. Cachia, Karan S. Dixit, Jan Drappatz, Erin M. Dunbar, Peter Forsyth, Edina Komlodi-Pasztor, Jacob Mandel, Byram H. Ozer, Eudocia Q. Lee, Surabhi Ranjan, Rimas V. Lukas, Margarita Raygada, Michael E. Salacz, Matthew A. Smith-Cohn, James Snyder, Ariane Soldatos, Brett J. Theeler, Brigitte C. Widemann, Kevin A. Camphausen, John D. Heiss, Terri S. Armstrong, Mark R. Gilbert, Marta Penas-Prado

  • March 1, 2024

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