Bridging the Gap Between Biomarker Testing and Treatment in Community Oncology

Cancer care has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from broad systemic chemotherapy to more individualized treatments. Over the last several decades, researchers have identified mutations in tumors that can be treated with targeted precision therapies with fewer side effects and improved survival rates.1 Today, the majority of drugs in the cancer pipeline are targeted therapies, many of which require biomarker testing to identify patients that will benefit most from these novels treatments. In addition to biomarker-directed treatments, immuno-oncology and cell-based therapies have also emerged as promising options in personalized cancer care.

Regina E. Murphy, MBA | Image: LinkedIn

This evolution is reshaping the oncology landscape and prompting payer organizations to reconsider coverage models, value frameworks, and care coordination strategies. While some payers are guardedly optimistic, others are struggling with the complexity and cost implications of precision oncology. A new initiative led by McKesson―Precision Care Companion (PCC)―empowers community oncology to deliver high-value precision therapies to patients. This program helps ensure appropriate diagnostic tests and personalized therapies are used for patients at the right time, maximizing treatment benefits while minimizing unnecessary healthcare costs.

A Shared Mission Uniting Practices, Diagnostic Labs and Biopharma

Suzzette Arnal, PhD | Image: LinkedIn

PCC is a consortium of industry experts led by McKesson, with the goal of accelerating the utilization of appropriate biomarker testing and the adoption of precision therapies in community oncology. Created to address critical gaps in testing, clinical decision support, and care delivery, PCC unites oncology practices, diagnostic labs, and biopharma in a collaborative effort to ensure patients receive timely deployment of tailored diagnostics and precision treatments, close to home.

Key players in the consortium are working together to achieve a target of 80% guideline-concordant testing across key diagnoses. McKesson and The US Oncology Network (The Network) provide infrastructure, analytics, and operational support, and 12 practices in The Network are piloting the program. The Network coordinates educational efforts with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in conducting community-based clinical trials, and Ontada, a McKesson business that empowers oncology breakthroughs with real-world data and insights. The diagnostic testing consortium members’ collective funding enables McKesson, The Network, SCRI, and Ontada to facilitate timely and accurate molecular profiling, drive adoption of new tools, and share quality metrics for improvement. The intention is to eventually make PCC available to any community oncology practice―not just those in The Network―as well as any diagnostic labs and biopharma companies interested in joining.

PCC is an industry sponsored model subsidized by consortium members, and all parties have an equal voice. Funds support efforts to advance and accelerate utilization of appropriate testing and proper therapies for patients. Current projects focus on these key areas:

EDUCATION. Robust educational services include master class webinars, a precision medicine boot camp, plus on-demand webinars and podcasts. A molecular helpline is available for urgent questions about test results. A molecular tumor board organized by the consortium reviews cases, identifying patients for possible trial enrollment or other therapies.

TECHNOLOGY. Technology enhancements aim to reduce the administrative barriers of ordering tests, viewing results and prescribing therapies. Providers will be able to order available tests directly in Ontada’s iKnowMed electronic health record (EHR). Results are directly ingested into the EHR and will be transferred into the clinical decision support tool, making them automatically available to providers so they can readily select the appropriate therapy. Additionally, practice-specific analytics track testing rates, turnaround times, and patient out-of-pocket costs. The consortium collects data to drive adherence to guideline-concordant testing.

WORKFLOW BEST PRACTICES. The PCC team is developing a workflow best practice manual by mapping workflows, identifying gaps, making recommendations for improvement and sharing best practices. Performance reviews and feedback loops are also being established.

Real-World Impact

PCC is demonstrating meaningful results. Within the first quarter of the program’s launch, a patient with high-grade ovarian cancer was successfully matched to a clinical trial through the PCC molecular tumor board. In this case, the trial was for P53 mutations—an area not currently considered standard of care and not included in existing testing guidelines. However, the patient’s physician, who is in The Network, ordered a comprehensive genomic profile that identified an emerging biomarker, making the patient eligible for an existing trial with SCRI.

The PCC team uncovered the mutation and presented the information to the physician during the tumor board sponsored by the consortium. This is a tangible example of how PCC is improving patients’ lives; without the tumor board, this additional clinical opportunity likely would have remained undetected. For the patient who was out of treatment options, this was another chance for hope and healing.

PCC is improving clarity on biomarker test reports. A retrospective review of how molecular results were interpreted—and how comfortable physicians felt with the reports—revealed that one lab’s presentation of a particular mutation could be clearer. Some physicians noted that the format made interpretation more challenging.

In response, the consortium shared this feedback with the lab, highlighting opportunities to enhance clarity. The lab welcomed the input and worked with the consortium to revise the report format, significantly reducing the potential for misinterpretation. This is an excellent example of how the collaborative efforts of PCC can lead to improvements in tools that physicians rely on to guide precision therapy decisions.

Consortium members are open to receiving feedback and collaborating to drive improvements. For instance, they are currently creating test order sets to make it easier for physicians to order everything appropriate for a patient with a particular diagnosis. This reduces the cognitive burden on physicians by streamlining test selection, while ensuring all critical information is gathered for prescribing the appropriate therapy.

Value for Payers

From a payer perspective, PCC provides compelling benefits by helping ensure patients receive the appropriate biomarker tests and molecularly matched therapies. Payers gain value when optimal targeted therapies are employed, as they provide improved outcomes and cost savings from fewer adverse effects and utilization of suboptimal therapies.2

While testing required for targeted therapies can be costly, investing in comprehensive testing upfront can result in overall savings in treatment costs:2

A study of non–small cell lung cancer patients compared treatment costs of those who received broad panel biomarker testing to those who had narrow panel testing. While patients with broad panel testing had an upfront cost increase of around $1200 compared to those with narrow panel testing, the broad panel patients realized savings of roughly $8500 per member per month in total cost of care, due to more optimal treatment.3

Additional studies demonstrated that upfront broader biomarker testing led to significant cost savings for commercial payers.2

Just as important as helping to identify optimal therapy, comprehensive testing helps ensure patients do not receive costly ineffective treatments. Certain biomarkers can alert physicians that a potential treatment will likely fail, reducing costs and protecting patients from the burden of unsuccessful treatment.4 Early comprehensive testing empowers oncologists with information to make timely, precise treatment decisions. Ultimately, this results in more cost-effective, quality care3 that aligns with evidence-based guidelines, reduces unnecessary procedures and treatments, and supports today’s value-based care models.

Success Through the Power of Collaboration

To achieve optimal outcomes in precision medicine, the focus must be on appropriate testing, as the application of these therapies starts with the right comprehensive biomarker test. PCC is specifically designed to tackle the challenge of proper test selection while enabling easy access to the results for timely treatment planning.

Originally launched within The Network, the PCC consortium hopes to expand this collaborative initiative across the country, making it available to all community oncology practices, diagnostic labs, and biopharma companies interested in advancing precision oncology. Collaboration is essential for these therapies to live up to their promise, as there are many complex parts that must work together for success. Everyone with a stake in the game must collaborate with a shared goal of ultimately doing what is best for patients.

Payers can play a key role in this effort and work with practices to jointly develop value-based care strategies. More than half of cancer patients receive care in independent community settings,5 and these practices excel in delivering high quality, cost-effective treatment close to the patient’s home. Given the sheer patient volume these practices handle, much progress can be made in precision oncology if payers and community practices formulate mutually beneficial solutions.

The PCC initiative is a significant step forward in bringing targeted therapies to more patients in local communities. But it is more than a program—it is a movement driven by dedicated, like-minded consortium members to expand access to precision medicine. By bridging the gap between innovation and implementation, it ensures community oncology is equipped to deliver the highest standard of precision care. As the field evolves, PCC stands as an example of how collaboration, education, and data can transform cancer care to be more accessible for all. By fostering transparency and shared accountability among stakeholders, it creates a sustainable model for advancing precision oncology for years to come.

Author Information

Regina E. Murphy, MBA, is vice president, Network Transformation, The US Oncology Network. Suzzette Arnal, PhD, is vice president, Precision Medicine, Oncology & Multispecialty, The US Oncology Network.

References

1. American Institute for Cancer Research. Targeted therapies: precision weapons in the war on cancer. Cancer Health. July 10, 2025. Accessed August 10, 2025. https://www.cancerhealth.com/article/targeted-therapies-precision-weapons-war-cancer

2. Cancer Action Network. Biomarker testing and cost savings. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. January 25, 2023. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://www.fightcancer.org/news/biomarker-testing-and-cost-savings-1

3. Brito RA, et. al. Total cost of lung cancer care associated with broad panel versus narrow panel sequencing. J Clin Oncol. 2025;38(suppl 15): abstr 7077. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.7077

4. OncoDNA. The economics of comprehensive biomarker testing in cancer. OncoDNA S.A. 2025. Accessed August 8, 2025. https://oncodna.com/scientific-application-note/the-economics-of-comprehensive-biomarker-testing-in-cancer/

5. Nguyen CA, et al. Organization of cancer specialists in US physician practices and health systems. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(26):4226-4235.doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.00626.