Marketing of personalized cancer care on the web: an analysis of Internet websites.
Internet marketing may accelerate the use of care based on genomic or tumor-derived data. However, online marketing may be detrimental if it endorses products of unproven benefit. We conducted an analysis of Internet websites to identify personalized cancer medicine (PCM) products and claims. A Delphi Panel categorized PCM as standard or nonstandard based on evidence of clinical utility. Fifty-five websites, sponsored by commercial entities, academic institutions, physicians, research institutes, and organizations, that marketed PCM included somatic (58%) and germline (20%) analysis, interpretive services (15%), and physicians/institutions offering personalized care (44%). Of 32 sites offering somatic analysis, 56% included specific test information (range 1-152 tests). All statistical tests were two-sided, and comparisons of website content were conducted using McNemar's test. More websites contained information about the benefits than limitations of PCM (85% vs 27%, P < .001). Websites specifying somatic analysis were statistically significantly more likely to market one or more nonstandard tests as compared with standard tests (88% vs 44%, P = .04).
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ). stacyw_gray@dfci.harvard.edu.
Stacy W
SW
Gray
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ).
Angel
A
Cronin
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ).
Elizabeth
E
Bair
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ).
Neal
N
Lindeman
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ).
Vish
V
Viswanath
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (SWG, AC, EB, VV); Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (SWG, NL, KAJ); Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (SWG, NL); Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (VV); Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (KAJ); Division of Hematology-Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA (KAJ).
Katherine A
KA
Janeway
D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D057285:Precision Medicine; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration