ASCP and Pfizer Launch Quality Improvement Grants to Advance Biomarker Testing in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Key Insights
Six health systems received grants ranging from $185,000 to $250,000 to optimize molecular testing pathways and biomarker-driven treatment selection in metastatic colorectal cancer (search).
The initiative, launched in collaboration with Pfizer and ASCO, addresses persistent gaps in testing for RAS (search), BRAF (search), HER2 (search), and MSI/MMR (search) biomarkers aligned with NCCN guidelines.
Funded projects will leverage ASCP's Performance and Diagnostic Insights platform for real-time data analytics to improve turnaround times and care coordination.
With more than 150,000 new colorectal cancer cases diagnosed annually in the United States, metastatic colorectal cancer (search) (mCRC) remains an area of significant unmet medical need. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (search) (ASCP), in collaboration with Pfizer and with participation from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), has announced the recipients of its mCRC Quality Improvement (QI) Grant Program, an initiative designed to improve biomarker testing and frontline treatment selection for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Six health systems and organizations have been selected to receive grant funding, with awards ranging from $185,000 to $250,000: MAWD Pathology Group, Northwell Health / Feinstein Institutes, PanOncology Research Foundation / Pan American Center for Oncology Trials (Puerto Rico), TriHealth Cancer Institute, Tufts Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medicine.
Addressing Persistent Gaps in Molecular Testing
The grants are part of a multi-year initiative launched through a Request for Proposals (RFP) announced by ASCP in January 2026. The program focuses on addressing persistent gaps in molecular testing, communication, care coordination, and biomarker-driven treatment decision-making for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (search). Funded projects encompass a range of topics, including molecular testing pathways, biomarker testing optimization, system-wide precision oncology implementation and equity initiatives, and building scalable advances for diagnostic excellence and therapeutic precision.
"These grant recipients represent a diverse group of healthcare organizations committed to advancing precision medicine and improving outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (search)," said Ali Brown, MD, Interim CEO of ASCP. "Through these projects, participants will help strengthen biomarker testing pathways, improve communication across multidisciplinary care teams, and develop scalable solutions that ensure patients receive timely, guideline-concordant care. We are excited to support initiatives that have the potential to create lasting improvements to patient care not only within these institutions, but across the broader oncology community."
Biomarker-Driven Treatment Selection
Metastatic colorectal cancer (search) treatment increasingly depends on timely and accurate biomarker testing to inform therapy selection. In alignment with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, the initiative focuses on improving testing practices for key biomarkers, including RAS (search) (KRAS/NRAS) mutations, BRAF (search) mutations, HER2 (search) amplification, and microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status.
The funded QI projects are structured as pathology-centric, multidisciplinary health system implementation efforts, with particular emphasis on community-based care settings. Participating institutions will bring together pathologists, laboratory professionals, oncologists, surgeons, and other members of the cancer care team to identify barriers, optimize workflows, and improve coordination across the continuum of care.
Leveraging Real-Time Data Analytics
Through the program, participating organizations will leverage ASCP's Performance and Diagnostic Insights (PDI) platform, which provides real-time data aggregation and analytics to support performance measurement and evidence-based decision-making. Projects will evaluate current biomarker testing practices, identify variation in test ordering and reporting workflows, and implement targeted interventions to improve efficiency, timeliness, and communication of results.
Key objectives of the initiative include understanding current biomarker testing practices and identifying variation in test-ordering protocols; evaluating turnaround times, reporting workflows, and operational efficiency; addressing communication gaps to ensure timely dissemination of biomarker results to the care team; establishing pathways for accelerated molecular diagnostics to support optimal frontline treatment decisions; improving patient safety by ensuring appropriate, guideline-concordant testing and therapy selection; and strengthening care team capabilities by equipping pathology and laboratory professionals with tools and skills to enhance communication and care coordination.
In addition to driving measurable improvements within participating institutions, the program will generate practical insights and best practices that can be shared broadly to advance biomarker testing and precision oncology care nationwide. The initiative is intended to promote sustainable, scalable improvements that support timely diagnosis, personalized treatment planning, and better outcomes for patients living with metastatic colorectal cancer (search).