Early technology assessment of using whole genome sequencing in personalized oncology

Martijn Simons, Michiel Van De Ven, Veerle Coupé, Manuela Joore, Maarten IJzerman, Erik Koffijberg, Geert Frederix, Carin Uyl-De Groot, Edwin Cuppen, Wim Van Harten, Valesca Retèl*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
43 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: Personalized medicine-based treatments in advanced cancer hold the promise to offer substantial health benefits to genetic subgroups, but require efficient biomarker-based patient stratification to match the right treatment and may be expensive. Standard molecular diagnostics are currently very heterogeneous, and tests are often performed sequentially. The alternative to whole genome sequencing (WGS) i.e. simultaneously testing for all relevant DNA-based biomarkers thereby allowing immediate selection of the most optimal therapy, is more costly than current techniques. In the current implementation stage, it is important to explore the added value and cost-effectiveness of using WGS on a patient level and to assess optimal introduction of WGS on the level of the healthcare system.Areas covered: First, an overview of current worldwide initiatives concerning the use of WGS in clinical practice for cancer diagnostics is given. Second, a comprehensive, early health technology assessment (HTA) approach of evaluating WGS in the Netherlands is described, relating to the following aspects: diagnostic value, WGS-based treatment decisions, assessment of long-term health benefits and harms, early cost-effectiveness modeling, nation-wide organization, and Ethical, Legal and Societal Implications.Expert opinion: This study provides evidence to guide further development and implementation of WGS in clinical practice and the healthcare system.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-351
Number of pages9
JournalExpert Review of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) under Grant number 846001002. We like to thank Inge Eekhout for the coordination of the TANGO study

Funding Information:
MJHGS, HK, MAJ, MvdV, VMHC, EPJC have nothing to disclose. MJIJ received unrestricted research funding and consulting fees from Illumina and RTI Health Solutions. VR and WvH received unrestricted research funding from Agendia BV and Intuitive Inc.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

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