Interinstitutional collaboration for molecular tumor boards

In Japan, "Designated Core Hospitals for Cancer Genomic Medicine" as leading hospitals on cancer genomic medicine and "Cooperative Hospitals for Cancer Genomic Medicine" which conduct cancer genomic medicine in each region are working together to promote cancer genomic medicine. Eleven institutions as the former and 135 institutions as the latter are currently designated. It is essential to hold a molecular tumor board, which is called "Expert Panel" in Japan, to provide cancer genomic medicine for patients. In the Expert Panel, the results of tumor sequencing are interpreted with clinical information, then recommended treatment and genetic information to be provided are determined. Holding Expert Panels is a duty of Designated Core Hospitals for Cancer Genomic Medicine and Cooperative Hospitals need to participate in it. In order to facilitate the Expert Panel, it is effective to share patient's information using well-managed Web system. Besides that, there are many tasks to be addressed by cooperation of Designated Core Hospitals and Cooperative Hospitals such as registration of patient's information in the Center for Cancer genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT), correspondence to increasing genomic testing and nurturing specialized human resources involved in cancer genomic medicine. Interinstitutional collaboration should be more encouraged to propagate cancer genomic medicine.