biostudies-literatureUnknown167(2)Rogers JL<h4>Purpose</h4>Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) integrate clinical, molecular, and radiological information and facilitate coordination of neuro-oncology care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our MTB transitioned to a virtual and multi-institutional format. We hypothesized that this expansion would allow expert review of challenging neuro-oncology cases and contribute to the care of patients with limited access to specialized centers.<h4>Methods</h4>We retrospectively reviewed records from virtual MTBs held between 04/2020-03/2021. Data collected included measures of potential clinical impact, including referrals to observational or therapeutic studies, referrals for specialized neuropathology analysis, and whether molecular findings led to a change in diagnosis and/or guided management suggestions.<h4>Results</h4>During 25 meetings, 32 presenters discussed 44 cases. Approximately half (n = 20; 48%) involved a rare central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In 21% (n = 9) the diagnosis was changed or refined based on molecular profiling obtained at the NIH and in 36% (n = 15) molecular findings guided management. Clinical trial suggestions were offered to 31% (n = 13), enrollment in the observational NCI Natural History Study to 21% (n = 9), neuropathology review and molecular testing at the NIH to 17% (n = 7), and all received management suggestions.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Virtual multi-institutional MTBs enable remote expert review of CNS tumors. We propose them as a strategy to facilitate expert opinions from specialized centers, especially for rare CNS tumors, helping mitigate geographic barriers to patient care and serving as a pre-screening tool for studies. Advanced molecular testing is key to obtaining a precise diagnosis, discovering potentially actionable targets, and guiding management.Journal of neuro-oncology349-359https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11023967biostudies-literatureVirtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors.PMC11023967Quezado MMTheeler BJWidemann BCBoris LCamphausen KASnyder JArmstrong TSChaudhry HForsyth PSalacz MESmirniotopoulos JGDrappatz JLee EQAboud OGilbert MROzer BHZaghloul KSmith-Cohn MAAldape KRaygada MWall TPenas-Prado MRogers JLLukas RVMandel JDixit KSSoldatos ATsien CIHeiss JDButman JAChittiboina PAcquaye-Mallory AADunbar EMAvgeropoulos NGKim YKomlodi-Pasztor ECachia DMRanjan SBurton ECfalseVirtual multi-institutional tumor board: a strategy for personalized diagnoses and management of rare CNS tumors.<h4>Purpose</h4>Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) integrate clinical, molecular, and radiological information and facilitate coordination of neuro-oncology care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our MTB transitioned to a virtual and multi-institutional format. We hypothesized that this expansion would allow expert review of challenging neuro-oncology cases and contribute to the care of patients with limited access to specialized centers.<h4>Methods</h4>We retrospectively reviewed records from virtual MTBs held between 04/2020-03/2021. Data collected included measures of potential clinical impact, including referrals to observational or therapeutic studies, referrals for specialized neuropathology analysis, and whether molecular findings led to a change in diagnosis and/or guided management suggestions.<h4>Results</h4>During 25 meetings, 32 presenters discussed 44 cases. Approximately half (n = 20; 48%) involved a rare central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In 21% (n = 9) the diagnosis was changed or refined based on molecular profiling obtained at the NIH and in 36% (n = 15) molecular findings guided management. Clinical trial suggestions were offered to 31% (n = 13), enrollment in the observational NCI Natural History Study to 21% (n = 9), neuropathology review and molecular testing at the NIH to 17% (n = 7), and all received management suggestions.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Virtual multi-institutional MTBs enable remote expert review of CNS tumors. We propose them as a strategy to facilitate expert opinions from specialized centers, especially for rare CNS tumors, helping mitigate geographic barriers to patient care and serving as a pre-screening tool for studies. Advanced molecular testing is key to obtaining a precise diagnosis, discovering potentially actionable targets, and guiding management.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Apr2026-05-29T12:38:32.342Z2026-04-08T04:46:44.817ZS-EPMC110239673842713110.1007/s11060-024-04613-6