title: Genomic testing in oncology to improve clinical outcomes while optimizing utilization: the evolution of diagnostic testing.
abstract: Cancer care is costly, particularly when chemotherapy and its supportive costs are considered. Yet, chemotherapy is not the right course for every patient. Patients with cancer need appropriate treatment that will give them the best possible outcome. Personalized medicine has become an important area of oncology. In addition to genetic testing, genomic testing has become a useful tool in diagnostics. For genomic assays to be viable, they must have clinical validity, analytic validity, and clinical utility. Stakeholders are willing to provide coverage for such testing through medical policy when there is strong evidence the tests are effective. Genomic testing can be used in decision making to rule out chemotherapy or other treatment options that would not be effective for the care of an individual patient. The use of genomic testing to help eliminate ineffective or possible harmful treatment options and determine appropriate care will benefit the patient while reducing healthcare utiliztion and costs.
authors.affiliation: dcollymore@acacianetwork.org.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Collymore
authors.forename: Shaunna L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kobilis
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lundquist
authors.forename: William T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: McGivney
authors.forename: Edmund J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Pezalla
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Poage
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins