Washington, D.C. – A new American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open finds many patients aren’t made aware of the importance of pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing. A form of biomarker testing, PGx testing examines how variations in a patient’s inherited genes may impact how they respond to different drugs. PGx testing can improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions. A recent Survivor Views Survey conducted by ACS CAN found fewer than half of cancer patients were familiar with PGx testing, and of those who knew about it, one third weren't told by their physicians and did research on their own. When informed about PGx testing and presented with a hypothetical scenario showcasing the benefit of testing, 70% of patients said they would be concerned moving forward with the treatment plan in the hypothetical situation without being offered a PGx test first.
“Biomarker testing, including pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, can play a crucial role in improving cancer outcomes and decreasing cancer disparities, but many patients aren't aware of it or their insurance doesn't cover it," said Mark E. Fleury, PhD, Principal, Policy Development - Emerging Science at ACS CAN. "Cancer patients should be informed by their physicians about the benefits of PGx testing, when appropriate, to ensure they can access the right treatment and the right dose at the right time. ACS CAN is working to expand access to comprehensive biomarker testing, including PGx, in every state across the country, so that no patient is disadvantaged."
ACS CAN is working to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing across the country by ensuring insurance plans cover biomarker testing that is proven and necessary to best guide treatment decisions. Twenty-two states have passed legislation expanding insurance coverage of biomarker testing in the past three years, with legislation introduced in twelve additional states this year.
ACS CAN also released Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Consensus Recommendations in 2023, which outline key steps to improve equitable PGx research and implementation in oncology. Despite its power to improve patient outcomes, PGx testing has not been fully implemented, and where it has been implemented, it is often done so inequitably.
The paper titled “Views Toward Pharmacogenomic Testing Among Patients With Cancer” is available in JAMA Network Open here.
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