Federico Pio Fabrizio, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Medicine and Surgery at Kore University of Enna, shared on LinkedIn:
“How can we overcome existing discrepancies and promote the standardization of NGS panels in precision oncology?
We are pleased to share our Viewpoint, published in JAMA Oncology (2025 Journal Impact Factor: 23.9): ‘Why Harmonizing NGS Panels Is the Missing Link in Precision Oncology – One Genome, Too Many Standards’.
The article was conceived and led by the University of Enna ‘Kore’, with Prof. Federico Pio Fabrizio as first author and Prof. Sara Bravaccini as last and corresponding author, in collaboration with Prof. Massimiliano Mazza (IRCCS IRST, Meldola) and Prof. Francesco Pegreffi.
In this article, we highlight how disparities in laboratory infrastructure, expertise and financial resources, together with differences in reimbursement policies, can influence the selection of NGS panels and testing practices, both among laboratories within the same country and across different countries.
In smaller centers, these constraints may limit genomic testing to hotspot panels, potentially resulting in clinically relevant and actionable alterations being overlooked. Consequently, some patients may miss opportunities to benefit from targeted therapies or participate in biomarker-driven clinical trials.
However, financial barriers are only part of the problem. Inadequate molecular pathology infrastructure, insufficient tissue samples, limited access to molecular tumor boards and prolonged turnaround times can further hinder timely access to comprehensive genomic profiling and appropriate treatments.
Fully realizing the clinical potential of precision oncology requires standardized, reliable and equitable access to genomic testing.
Harmonizing NGS workflows across different platforms is essential to improve the reliability and comparability of results and support clinical decision-making.
Key priorities include:
- shared minimum testing standards,
- standardized reporting,
- clear definitions of clinically validated genomic alteration classes,
- equitable reimbursement policies
- and continuous updates in line with clinical practice guidelines.
This Viewpoint reflects the contribution of the University of Enna “Kore” to multidisciplinary research addressing some of the major challenges in precision oncology.”
Title: Why Harmonizing NGS Panels Is the Missing Link in Precision Oncology – One Genome, Too Many Standards
Authors: Federico Pio Fabrizio, Massimiliano Mazza, Francesco Pegreffi, Sara Bravaccini.
You can also read: Glenn Balasky at COGC 2026: Why NGS Fails Without the Right Workflow
