Poster Presentation 37th Lorne Cancer Conference 2025

Pharmacogenomic testing in paediatric oncology patients – development of a survey to assess patient and caregiver knowledge and attitudes (#217)

Claire Moore 1 , Beth Williams 1 , Roxanne Dyas 1 , Dhrita Khatri 1 , Emma Magavern 2 , Tracey Danaher 3 , Marliese Alexander 4 , Safeera Hussainy 4 , David Elliott 1 , Rachel Conyers 1
  1. MCRI, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. Queen Mary University of London, London, England
  3. Monash University, Melbourne
  4. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne

Background: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is an emerging field of personalized medicine that has reduced Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) in adults1. However, widespread implementation in paediatric oncology has been slow. For successful integration into clinical care, barriers to pharmacogenomics must be identified and addressed. Yet there are very few studies describing PGx implementation barriers from a paediatric oncology consumer perspective2.

 

Objective: To use existing literature, implementation theory and consumer advisory groups to develop a survey to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Australian paediatric oncology patients and their caregivers towards pharmacogenomics.

 

Method: Themes and attributes of pharmacogenomics in paediatric oncology were identified through a review of the literature2 and a focus consumer group. The Theoretical Domains Framework3 was used to frame survey questions so that behavioural determinants of implementation could be ascertained. A series of consumer cognitive interviews were undertaken for survey refinement and to test for face and content validity.

 

Results: Two separate anonymous and voluntary surveys have been designed to assess attitudes towards pharmacogenomics in paediatric oncology. One of the surveys is designed for caregivers and the second is for Adolescent or Young Adult (AYA) patients. The surveys have been RCH HREC approved, are advertised on posters with a QR code and are accessed via the REDCap database. Recruitment has begun in Victoria, S.A., N.S.W. and W.A.

 

Conclusion: A survey has been designed to determine what paediatric oncology caregivers and AYA patients know and think about pharmacogenomics. Responses will allow identification of barriers to implementation so that they may be addressed. 

  1. 1. Swen, J.J., et al., A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open-label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomised crossover implementation study. Lancet, 2023. 401(10374): p. 347-356.
  2. 2. Moore, C. et al. A systematic review of knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacogenomics in pediatric oncology patients. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2023;11(6):e01150. doi:10.1002/prp2.1150
  3. 3. Atkins, L., et al., A guide to using the Theoretical Domains Framework of behaviour change to investigate implementation problems. Implement Sci, 2017. 12(1): p. 77.