Allen Chankowsky

Mr. Allen Chankowsky

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 February 2025 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BSBrandon S. Sheffield
Brandon S. Sheffield
SBShantanu Banerji
Shantanu Banerji
ACAllen Chankowsky
Allen Chankowsky
SDShaan Dudani
Shaan Dudani
Sharlene GillSharlene Gill
Sharlene Gill
FSFilomena Servidio-Italiano
Filomena Servidio-Italiano
The explosion in biomarker testing over the past two decades continues to transform cancer care in Canada and around the world. Precision medicine is supported by identifying actionable mutations that direct therapeutic choices, thus improving survival and quality of life, especially for patients with advanced/metastatic disease. In addition, our growing understanding of the genetic basis of cancer is advanced by research employing ever-expanding databases of genetic mutations, therapies and outcomes. Despite this promising progress, however, access to biomarker testing remains inequitable across Canada, to the detriment of patients. Several underlying factors contribute to this situation, including the need for investment in and standardization of laboratory medicine infrastructure and processes, and the lack of suitable methods for cost/benefit evaluations to inform funding decisions. In 2024, a Canadian conference brought together patients, clinicians, researchers, policy-makers and scientists to address “Equitable Access to Advanced Biomarker Testing for Canadian Metastatic Cancer Patients”. Two major themes arose from the conference: the urgent need to adopt comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) as a standard of care across Canada, and the emerging role of liquid biopsy in accelerating access to biomarker testing for patients with advanced/metastatic cancer.