Tumour Genomic Testing Data Dashboard

The genetic alterations giving rise to and occurring in cancers (i.e. somatic aberrations) can be important markers for prognosis and treatment options. Increasingly, tumour genomic testing (to detect such somatic aberrations) is being carried out as standard care for various tumour types. Since 2016 the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) has collected molecular testing (i.e. testing of the tumour’s genetic material) data in one central data set covering all English tumour diagnoses. Since 2019, the NDRS has also collected data on immunohistochemistry (IHC) protein tests carried out on PD-L1 and MMR proteins. This new tumour genomic testing dataset is an important and exciting data resource. The Tumour Genomic Testing Data dashboard exists to let users explore, at top level, the data found in this dataset.

The Tumour Genomic Testing Data dashboard includes tumours diagnosed and tested in England for somatic aberrations. It aims to provide high level counts giving aggregate data on somatic testing of cancers by year (diagnosed), gene, chromosome location, test method, tumour site and test result. The data can be explored for all England or by Integrated Care Board.

Users are likely to be from academia and pharma. The data may be sufficient to answer some queries or provide information on the volume and range of data available to enable users to gauge if it would meet their needs prior to developing a research proposal or Data Access Request Service (DARS) application.

Acknowledgement

This work uses data that has been provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support. The data are collated, maintained and quality assured by the National Disease Registration Service, which is part of NHS England.

The data covers tumour genomic testing carried out by specialist molecular laboratories* and hospital pathology laboratories in England. The data is structured across four broad tables as follows:

'Gene Tests' includes testing data on all genes (except IHC testing of MMR and PD-L1 proteins) from specialist molecular laboratories on tumours diagnosed from 2016 to 2022 (from the table AT_GENE_MOL_ENGLAND)).

'Pathology (protein) Tests' includes data on IHC testing of MMR and PD-L1 proteins from hospital pathology laboratories on tumours diagnosed from 2019 to 2022 (from the table AT_GENE_PATH_ENGLAND).

'Chromosome Tests' includes testing data on all chromosomes from specialist molecular laboratories on tumours diagnosed from 2016 to 2022 (from the table AT_CHROMOSOME_ENGLAND).

'Other Tests' includes data from specialist molecular laboratories, on tumours diagnosed from 2016 to 2022, for tests that have not been undertaken on specific genes or chromosomes. These are mainly Microsatellite Instability (MSI) tests, but clonality and normal panel tests are also included (from the table AT_MSI_ENGLAND).

Some specialist molecular laboratories do not supply information. So, data in 'Gene tests', 'Chromosome tests' and ‘Other tests’ is close to, but does not have, national coverage.

Haematological cancers are not included, as testing data on these cancers is not yet of sufficient quality.

*Specialist molecular laboratories cover both ‘genomics laboratories’, which are the original Regional Genetics Laboratories, and ‘molecular path laboratories’, which are the traditional hospital pathology laboratories that have branched out into molecular testing.

This is an annual publication released after the end of year snapshots are published in the NDRS’ Cancer Analysis System (CAS).

Please contact ndrsenquiries@nhs.net if you have any questions about this dashboard. Please do not include sensitive or patient identifiable information.

To access the data used in this publication, please refer to the 'Data & Definitions' tab within the dashboard.