CDC Study Assesses Genetic Testing's Impact on Health Outcomes

Some genomic tests developed to personalize medical decisions about cancer care are beneficial, while for others the evidence is uncertain and reliance on the test might even lead to poorer medical management of cancer in some cases, according new recommendation statements from an expert panel.

The statements appear in the January issue of Genetics in Medicine, the official peer-reviewed journal of The American College of Medical Genetics and published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Genetic tests for tumor gene expression in women with early-stage breast cancer to detect those at risk for cancer recurrence, the panel wrote, are based on insufficient evidence to determine whether they offer any improvement in health outcomes. The panel also found insufficient evidence to recommend testing for variants of the gene UGT1A1 in patients undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer to inform use of the chemotherapy drug irinotecan.

While the test might be useful in identifying patients at risk of side effects from the drug, reducing irinotecan dosage may be more harmful than the side effects, so the clinical utility of the UGT1A1 test is questionable, at best, it said.

On the other hand, genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of colorectal cancer, is useful to recommend screening relatives for the mutations that cause the syndrome and encouraging them to have regular colorectal cancer exams, the panel found.

"Our reviews of the evidence found that in some situations genetic testing may be helpful, but that in others, including for some genetic tests currently used in cancer care, there is not enough evidence available to determine the balance of benefits and harms," said Alfred Berg, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the working group that produced the recommendations. These recommendation statements are the most recent analyses from the Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group.

As the number of available genetic tests continues to increase, so do questions regarding their appropriate use. The EGAPP initiative was developed by the National Office of Public Health Genomics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the goal of supporting evaluation of genetic tests and other genomic applications that are in transition from research to clinical and public health practice. The independent EGAPP Working Group based its recommendations on commissioned, systematic reviews of available studies addressing the validity and utility of specific types of genetic tests.

For more information, go to www.egappreviews.org.

Product Showcase

  • Magid® D-ROC® GPD412 21G Ultra-Thin Polyurethane Palm Coated Work Gloves

    Magid’s 21G line is more than just a 21-gauge glove, it’s a revolutionary knitting technology paired with an advanced selection of innovative fibers to create the ultimate in lightweight cut protection. The latest offering in our 21G line provides ANSI A4 cut resistance with unparalleled dexterity and extreme comfort that no other 21-gauge glove on the market can offer! Read More

  • Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. Read More

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars