Summary: A Molecular Tumor Board helps you confidently navigate patient care decisions that incorporate the latest in precision oncology. This resource offers ways for you to make the most of your Genomic Tumor Board experience.
By JAX Clinical Education | May 2026
Overview
A Molecular Tumor Board (MTB), also called a genomic tumor board, is similar to typical multidisciplinary tumor boards but has a narrower focus. An MTB convenes experts to carefully evaluate your patient’s biomarker testing (also called tumor profiling, somatic tumor testing, comprehensive genomic profiling, and genomic tumor testing) results. The goal is to support you to identify appropriate oncology treatments and/or clinical trials that map to your patient’s biomarker testing results, tumor findings, and overall care preferences or plan. Wherever possible, discussions may also include diagnostics and prognostic biomarker assessments.
MTBs run virtually and include specialists in:
- Medical oncology
- Pharmacology
- Medical genetics and genetic counseling
- Molecular pathology
- Genetic testing technology (diagnostic laboratory)
Ways to Maximize the MTB Experience
Before the MTB
Select the right patient to present. Listed below are common prompts for clinicians to present a patient at a MTB:
- Gain a deeper understanding of biomarker testing results
- Understand how to prioritize multiple actionable biomarker findings
- Clear up mismatches between biomarker testing results and your patient’s tumor type, other genetic test results, clinical presentation
- Clarify unexpected or ambiguous biomarker testing results (e.g. variant of unknown significance or VUS in a well-characterized gene) based on scientific evidence
- Learn about the limitations of biomarker testing from testing technology experts
- Due diligence to confirm all available treatment or clinical trial options, even if there are currently none
- Identify a need for additional biomarker testing and best practices for ordering the testing
- Explore a risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome and possible need for genetic testing for inherited cancer risk
Gather clinical details. The MTB team will ask for your patient’s clinical details for their review. Details that are particularly useful for a MTB include:
- Diagnosis, demographics
- Pathology results, including additional immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing
- Biomarker testing results and any prior genetic test results (somatic and germline)
- Types of treatments the patient previously had and their responses to those treatments, as well as if they are currently on an effective treatment
- Patient’s willingness and ability to pursue a clinical trial
- Family history of cancer and personal history of any prior cancers
Think of your questions. It’s easy to lose track of questions during a busy MTB discussion, so take a moment to consider what you want to ask.
- Review your patient’s biomarker testing results and flag areas where you have questions. Don’t worry about your expertise on the biomarker testing – the MTB team will bring that.
- Jot down the #1 question or clinical challenge you have for your patient.
During the MTB
The MTB offers a moderated, guided discussion. After you present key details of your patient’s medical history, MTB experts will review the biomarker testing results, scientific evidence, and map it to any available treatments and/or clinical trial options.
During the discussion, make the most of this time by:
- Taking notes
- Asking questions – especially practical ones that the MTB team won’t know to ask, or that may help you explain the biomarker testing results to your patient and answer questions they may have
- Asking for clarity about a topic or concept before moving to the next one
- Being sure to ask about your #1 question or clinical challenge
- Remembering that the MTB is not a “one and done” opportunity – you can reach out to the MTB team after the meeting
After the MTB
- Consider if your #1 question got answered. Did it? If not, reach out to the MTB team to follow up as they remain available to you.
- Take the MTB learnings back to your team and to your patient.
Learn More
Exploring Cancer Biomarker Testing (CME|CNE). Learn about benefits, limitations, and challenges of using cancer biomarker testing.
Interpreting Cancer Biomarker Testing – When is Additional Testing Needed? (CME|CNE). Learn when additional cancer biomarker testing is indicated for further evaluation of genome-informed therapy.
Assessing Biomarker Testing Results to Inform Treatment. Provides a framework used by molecular tumor boards to assess evidence supporting targeted therapies.
Disclaimer
All information in this resource is provided for educational purposes only.
