Artificial intelligence- (AI-) based technology is beginning to penetrate health care. Like most other clinical decision-making, several early AI applications rely upon laboratory data. While … [Read more...]
SPECIAL FOCUS
New Test Aids Lung Cancer Risk Assessment, But Survival Benefit of Comprehensive Sequencing Questioned
September 14, 2018
Lung cancer-related testing is receiving a lot of attention, but recent results appear to show mixed benefits for these emerging tests. There is an urgent need to improve lung cancer risk assessment, … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
Whole-Genome Sequencing Adds Value to Cardiomyopathy Workup
August 20, 2018
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identifies additional genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) beyond those identified through targeted gene sequencing approaches, according to a study … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
Next-Gen Sequencing Has Significant Utility for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
August 6, 2018
Next-generation sequencing improves definitive diagnoses for children with drug-resistant epilepsy, according to a pilot study published online June 22 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Compliance Perspectives: Genetic Test Labs Face Growing Risk of Medical Malpractice Liability
August 6, 2018
Compliance managers of lab involved in the $3 billion consumer-based genetic testing business need to safeguard their flank against a growing legal risk: the threat of liability for malpractice. As … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
General Population Has Interest in Genetic Testing for Skin Cancer Risk
August 1, 2018
There is moderately high interest and follow through among the general population for genetic testing to determine melanoma skin cancer risk, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES AT A GLANCE
FDA Recommends Pooled of Blood Testing for Zika Virus
August 1, 2018
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised recommendations for testing donated blood for Zika virus. The agency will now allow pooled testing of blood donations, rather than universal nucleic … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Lack of Utility Evidence Still Hampers Adoption of Pharmacogenomic Testing: Benefits Seen in the Field of Psychiatry
July 9, 2018
For years it had been hoped that pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing would be a leading application for personalized medicine, but adoption of PGx testing has not lived up to its potential and remains in an … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
Report Finds Genetic Tests and Their Reimbursement Increasingly Complex
June 25, 2018
The health care technology company Concert Genetics (formerly NextGxDx; Nashville, Tenn.) recently released its third edition of The Current Landscape of Genetic Testing, a comprehensive report … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
New Study Provides Most Comprehensive Overview of Genetic Test Development, Usage and Spending
June 11, 2018
As might be expected, there has been rapid growth in genetic test availability and spending on these tests since 2014. But, comprehensive new collaborative analysis conducted by Concert Genetics … [Read more...]
