Newly released recommendations address key areas to facilitate the integration of precision oncology in clinical practice
Interpreting molecular-profiling results in precision oncology is a complex task, and molecular tumour boards (MTBs), i.e., multidisciplinary panels of experts, have been increasingly recognised as critical to support clinical decisions. However, despite their use is likely to improve clinical outcomes in patients with cancer as some studies suggest (JCO Precis Oncol. November 2021;(5):1122–1132), they are not conducted in a standardised way across institutions, thus increasing disparities in matching each patient with cancer to the most appropriate available therapies. By assembling an international group of experts in the field, the ESMO Precision Oncology Task Force has developed a set of recommendations, now published in the Annals of Oncology, to facilitate the implementation of MTBs into clinical practice and define potential quality standards to further promote the integration of precision oncology into clinical practice (Ann Oncol. 2025; special article).
“MTBs implementation varies due to differences in healthcare systems, institutional resources, expertise, access to genomic technologies, and workflow structures. While some centres have well-established MTBs within dedicated precision oncology programmes, others face challenges in terms of specialists’ availability, case selection, and standardisation of recommendations,” says Dr Benedikt Westphalen, Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Munich, Chair of the ESMO Precision Oncology Task Force. “As a result, patients may experience varying levels of access to molecular-guided treatment decisions and clinical trials, which can impact their care pathways.”
The ESMO recommendations provide a structured framework to support consistent and effective MTB operations across diverse healthcare environments. More specifically, they focus on defining the core composition of MTBs, establishing structured workflows for patient selection, data integration and follow-up, providing guidance on documentation and reporting standards to improve transparency and reproducibility, and introducing potential quality indicators to monitor MTB performance and clinical impact.
“By addressing these key areas, the recommendations aim to support the broader adoption of high-quality MTBs, helping to standardise molecular-guided decision-making and strengthen the role of precision oncology in routine clinical care,” concludes Westphalen. “Ensuring more uniform implementation of MTBs would help optimise the use of precision medicine across different healthcare settings, fostering greater equity in access to genomic-driven therapies for our patients.”
The ESMO recommendations can serve as a roadmap for implementing effective and well-functioning MTBs in daily practice globally, however they should be seen in the light of institutional requirements, resources available and the surrounding healthcare system.
