Targeted screening of men at high genetic risk of the disease could prevent nearly one in six prostate cancer deaths. That is the tantalizing finding of a new computer modeling study led by the … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
Targeted Genetic Risk-Based Prostate Cancer Screening Would Save the Most Lives at the Best Costs: UK Study
January 19, 2020
FDA WATCH
FDA Watch: Agency Resounds the Alarm on Biotin Test Interference
November 19, 2019
In early November 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated a previous safety communication about the potential of biotin to significantly interfere with diagnostic tests. The … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Testing Trends: The Debate Continues Over Regular Colorectal Screening for Average Risk Adults
November 16, 2019
Should adults age 50 to 75 who are at average risk and show no symptoms of colorectal cancer have regular colorectal screening exams? Last month, a major medical journal came out against regular … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
Nonculture Molecular Tests Speed Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infections
August 19, 2019
The T2Bacteria Panel (T2Biosystems; Lexington, Mass.) can rapidly and accurately diagnoses bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by five common bacteria, according to a study published May 14 in the … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
CDC Announces Shortage of TB Skin Test Antigen, New TB Testing Guidelines
August 12, 2019
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a three-to 10-month national shortage of Aplisol (Par Pharmaceuticals; Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.), one of two purified-protein derivative … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Upfront Next-Generation Sequencing for Lung Cancer Patients Saves Time, Money
August 5, 2019
Use of upfront next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing at diagnosis of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) is associated with substantial cost savings, according to a study … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Genetic Testing Guidelines for Hereditary Cancer Miss Many At Risk
July 28, 2019
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network genetic testing criteria for hereditary cancer miss almost one in five at-risk for breast and ovarian cancer, and more than one in three at-risk for Lynch … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Expanded Access to Genetic Testing for Cardiomyopathy Is Cost Effective
July 22, 2019
Expansion of genetic testing in asymptomatic relatives of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to guide clinical surveillance is cost-effective, according to a study published in Genetics in … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Guidelines at a Glance
July 22, 2019
Screening for HIV Published June 11 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for HIV infection in adolescents and … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Routine Urine Test Can Screen for Medication Adherence at Primary Care Visit
July 22, 2019
A single urine spot sample can be used to objectively screen for nonadherence to diabetes medications in the primary care setting, according to a study published in the June issue of Diabetes Care. … [Read more...]
