Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards
Abstract Background Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) play a pivotal role in personalized oncology, leveraging complex data sets to tailor therapy for cancer patients. The integration of digital support and visualization tools is essential in this rapidly evolving field facing fast-growing data and chan...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02821-8 |
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| author | Cosima Strantz Dominik Böhm Thomas Ganslandt Melanie Börries Patrick Metzger Thomas Pauli Andreas Blaumeiser Alexander Scheiter Ian-Christopher Jung Jan Christoph Iryna Manuilova Konstantin Strauch Arsenij Ustjanzew Niklas Reimer Hauke Busch Philipp Unberath |
| author_facet | Cosima Strantz Dominik Böhm Thomas Ganslandt Melanie Börries Patrick Metzger Thomas Pauli Andreas Blaumeiser Alexander Scheiter Ian-Christopher Jung Jan Christoph Iryna Manuilova Konstantin Strauch Arsenij Ustjanzew Niklas Reimer Hauke Busch Philipp Unberath |
| author_sort | Cosima Strantz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) play a pivotal role in personalized oncology, leveraging complex data sets to tailor therapy for cancer patients. The integration of digital support and visualization tools is essential in this rapidly evolving field facing fast-growing data and changing clinical processes. This study addresses the gap in understanding the evolution of software and visualization needs within MTBs and evaluates the current state of digital support. Alignment between user requirements and software development is crucial to avoid waste of resources and maintain trust. Methods In two consecutive nationwide medical informatics projects in Germany, surveys and expert interviews were conducted as stage 1 (n = 14), stage 2 (n = 30), and stage 3 (n = 9). Surveys, via the SoSci Survey tool, covered participants' roles, working methods, and support needs. The second survey additionally addressed requirements for visualization solutions in molecular tumor boards. These aimed to understand diverse requirements for preparation, implementation, and documentation. Nine semi-structured expert interviews complemented quantitative findings through open discussion. Results Using quantitative and qualitative analyses, we show that existing digital tools may improve therapy recommendations and streamline MTB case preparation, while continuous training and system improvements are needed. Conclusions Our study contributes to the field by highlighting the importance of developing user-centric, customizable software solutions that can adapt to the fast-paced environment of MTBs to advance personalized oncology. In doing so, it lays the foundation for further advances in personalized medicine in oncology and points to a shift towards more efficient, technology-driven clinical decision-making processes. This research not only enriches our understanding of the integration of digital tools into MTBs, but also signals a broader shift towards technological innovation in healthcare. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bea11da2d9ef42e5b9e1268c53762118 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making |
| spelling | doaj-art-bea11da2d9ef42e5b9e1268c537621182025-01-19T12:26:05ZengBMCBMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making1472-69472025-01-0125111910.1186/s12911-024-02821-8Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boardsCosima Strantz0Dominik Böhm1Thomas Ganslandt2Melanie Börries3Patrick Metzger4Thomas Pauli5Andreas Blaumeiser6Alexander Scheiter7Ian-Christopher Jung8Jan Christoph9Iryna Manuilova10Konstantin Strauch11Arsenij Ustjanzew12Niklas Reimer13Hauke Busch14Philipp Unberath15Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergMedical Center for Information and Communication Technology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergMedical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergInstitute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgInstitute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgInstitute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of FreiburgInstitute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Institute of Pathology, University of RegensburgFaculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of TechnologyMedical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergJunior Research Group (Bio-)medical Data Science, Faculty of Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzGroup for Medical Systems Biology, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, Universität zu LübeckGroup for Medical Systems Biology, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, Universität zu LübeckMedical Center for Information and Communication Technology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergAbstract Background Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) play a pivotal role in personalized oncology, leveraging complex data sets to tailor therapy for cancer patients. The integration of digital support and visualization tools is essential in this rapidly evolving field facing fast-growing data and changing clinical processes. This study addresses the gap in understanding the evolution of software and visualization needs within MTBs and evaluates the current state of digital support. Alignment between user requirements and software development is crucial to avoid waste of resources and maintain trust. Methods In two consecutive nationwide medical informatics projects in Germany, surveys and expert interviews were conducted as stage 1 (n = 14), stage 2 (n = 30), and stage 3 (n = 9). Surveys, via the SoSci Survey tool, covered participants' roles, working methods, and support needs. The second survey additionally addressed requirements for visualization solutions in molecular tumor boards. These aimed to understand diverse requirements for preparation, implementation, and documentation. Nine semi-structured expert interviews complemented quantitative findings through open discussion. Results Using quantitative and qualitative analyses, we show that existing digital tools may improve therapy recommendations and streamline MTB case preparation, while continuous training and system improvements are needed. Conclusions Our study contributes to the field by highlighting the importance of developing user-centric, customizable software solutions that can adapt to the fast-paced environment of MTBs to advance personalized oncology. In doing so, it lays the foundation for further advances in personalized medicine in oncology and points to a shift towards more efficient, technology-driven clinical decision-making processes. This research not only enriches our understanding of the integration of digital tools into MTBs, but also signals a broader shift towards technological innovation in healthcare.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02821-8Molecular tumor boardPersonalized oncologyPrecision medicineGenomicsAnnotationClinical decision support systems |
| spellingShingle | Cosima Strantz Dominik Böhm Thomas Ganslandt Melanie Börries Patrick Metzger Thomas Pauli Andreas Blaumeiser Alexander Scheiter Ian-Christopher Jung Jan Christoph Iryna Manuilova Konstantin Strauch Arsenij Ustjanzew Niklas Reimer Hauke Busch Philipp Unberath Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making Molecular tumor board Personalized oncology Precision medicine Genomics Annotation Clinical decision support systems |
| title | Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| title_full | Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| title_fullStr | Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| title_full_unstemmed | Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| title_short | Empowering personalized oncology: evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| title_sort | empowering personalized oncology evolution of digital support and visualization tools for molecular tumor boards |
| topic | Molecular tumor board Personalized oncology Precision medicine Genomics Annotation Clinical decision support systems |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-024-02821-8 |
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