The molecular tumor board Ethical challenges and recommendations for practice

Background Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs) play a pioneering key role in genomics-based precision medicine. Due to their novelty, interdisciplinarity and position at the interface between research and clinic, MTBs raise ethical, legal and social challenges. Objectives The goal was to analyze ethical challenges and application-oriented recommendations. Methods We describe the concept of a MTB and analyze the challenges through application of widely accepted principles of medical and research ethics. Conclusions The MTB has a clinical function from which responsibilities of all parties involved arise. Challenges concerning responsibilities of involved parties, medical evidence, confidentiality, additional findings and data sharing need to be addressed in order to establish an ethically sound MTB.