The Spectrum of Clinical Utilities in Molecular Pathology Testing Procedures for Inherited Conditions and Cancer: A Report of the Association for Molecular Pathology
Recommended Citation
Joseph L, Cankovic M, Caughron S, Chandra P, Emmadi R, Hagenkord J, Hallam S, Jewell KE, Klein RD, Pratt VM, Rothberg PG, Temple-Smolkin RL, and Lyon E. The spectrum of clinical utilities in molecular pathology testing procedures for inherited conditions and cancer: A report of the association for molecular pathology. J Mol Diagn 2016; 18(5):605-619.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2016
Publication Title
The Journal of molecular diagnostics
Abstract
Clinical utility describes the benefits of each laboratory test for that patient. Many stakeholders have adopted narrow definitions for the clinical utility of molecular testing as applied to targeted pharmacotherapy in oncology, regardless of the population tested or the purpose of the testing. This definition does not address all of the important applications of molecular diagnostic testing. Definitions consistent with a patient-centered approach emphasize and recognize that a clinical test result's utility depends on the context in which it is used and are particularly relevant to molecular diagnostic testing because of the nature of the information they provide. Debates surrounding levels and types of evidence needed to properly evaluate the clinical value of molecular diagnostics are increasingly important because the growing body of knowledge, stemming from the increase of genomic medicine, provides many new opportunities for molecular testing to improve health care. We address the challenges in defining the clinical utility of molecular diagnostics for inherited diseases or cancer and provide assessment recommendations. Starting with a modified analytic validity, clinical validity, clinical utility, and ethical, legal, and social implications model for addressing clinical utility of molecular diagnostics with a variety of testing purposes, we recommend promotion of patient-centered definitions of clinical utility that appropriately recognize the valuable contribution of molecular diagnostic testing to improve patient care.
Medical Subject Headings
Asymptomatic Diseases; Clinical Trials as Topic; Delivery of Health Care; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Humans; Medical Oncology; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Neoplasms; Pathology, Molecular; Prognosis
PubMed ID
27542512
Volume
18
Issue
5
First Page
605
Last Page
619
