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A New Era in Cancer Care
How McKesson’s Precision Care Companion is advancing genomic testing, therapy selection and collaboration in community oncology.
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2 minutes
When a patient with advanced stage ovarian cancer exhausted all standard treatment options, her care team discovered a new therapeutic approach during a case review at Molecular Tumor Board, a collaborative panel of oncologists and genetic experts. The board reviewed the patient’s case and identified a clinical trial targeting a mutation in her tumor. This new path offered hope where none had existed, extending her treatment possibilities and potentially her life.
This story is one of many and reflects the growing promise of precision medicine in oncology, an approach that tailors treatment based on the diagnosis and genetic profile of each patient.
Personalized Medicine
By identifying specific biomarkers and genetic mutations, physicians can prescribe targeted therapies that are often more effective and better tolerated than traditional chemotherapy. Research shows that patients treated with therapies matched to their genetic profiles experience better outcomes and fewer side effects.1
Recognizing the vital role genomic testing and targeted therapies play today in providing high-quality cancer treatment, McKesson launched Precision Care Companion (PCC), a consortium that brings together oncology practices, diagnostic labs and biopharma partners to accelerate the adoption of precision medicine in community settings.
Precision medicine has transformed cancer care, ushering in an era of targeted therapies and personalized insights for patients.
Chief Operating Officer, Oncology & Multispecialty at McKesson
“Precision medicine has transformed cancer care, ushering in an era of targeted therapies and personalized insights for patients,” says Jason Hammonds, chief operating officer of Oncology & Multispecialty at McKesson. “Yet staying up to date with these complex, personalized treatments in community settings can be daunting, and potentially delay the use of these therapies. For many providers, the challenge lies not just in keeping up with the science behind these complex treatments, but in integrating them into everyday busy workflows."
Advancing Precision Technologies and Expanding Access
Deployed within The US Oncology Network (The Network), PCC brings together our ecosystem — including Ontada and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute — to streamline care and improve outcomes.
Focusing on four indications — lung, colon, rectal and prostate — PCC spans across 12 practices within The Network. In partnership with four molecular testing companies, it integrates education, clinical support, technology, data analytics and clinical best practices to advance personalized cancer care for patients closer to home.
Traditionally, access to this level of personalized care was limited to major academic institutions. Today, initiatives like PCC are closing that gap, ensuring patients in local communities can benefit from precision medicine.
“We’re equipping community oncology practices with the right tools and support so they can deliver life-saving therapies without requiring patients to travel long distances,” said Heidi Floden, PharmD, vice president of Advisory Services. “With this level of collaboration even the most challenging cases can now be reviewed and addressed, often opening new avenues of hope for those in need.”
By integrating technology enhancements such as Ontada’s iKnowMed® electronic health record (EHR) system and pairing analytics on biomarker testing rates for different cancer diagnoses, PCC can help providers to efficiently order comprehensive genomic testing and receive actionable results directly in their workflow. This streamlining allows clinicians to prescribe the most effective targeted therapies with greater confidence and speed.
“PCC is not just another program — it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advance community oncology and personalized care,” said Hammonds. “From accelerating the clinical development of new treatments to empowering practices with technology and real-world evidence that helps them to improve health outcomes, our work continues to elevate cancer care.”
1Saito, Motonobu et al. “Targeted therapy according to next generation sequencing-based panel sequencing.” Fukushima journal of medical science vol. 64,1 (2018): 9-14. doi:10.5387/fms.2018-02
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