New technologies are enabling the arrival of the much awaited affordable genome the ability to sequence an individuals or a tumors entire genome quickly and inexpensively [whole genome sequencing (WGS)]. WGS is now being offered in clinical care and is expected to become more widely used in the near future, particularly in cancer. However, this technological advance threatens to outpace our ability to use it effectively in clinical practice and to address the associated health policy issues. Our objective is to evaluate the potential benefit- risk tradeoffs of WGS from the perspectives of patients, providers, the health care delivery system, and society by using systematic and quantitative approaches. Our study aims are: 1) to analyze how patients and physicians evaluate WGS benefit-risk tradeoffs using a decision-theoretic model of the value of information and 2) to empirically assess benefit-risk tradeoffs of WGS at the health care system and societal levels.
For Aim 1 we will measure and compare patient and physician preferences for WGS in participants of the first randomized clinical trial of WGS using a general population sample (MedSeq Project), which is being led by Harvard Medical School and a nationally representative sample using quantitative, statistically rigorous methods (conjoint analysis).
Aim 2 will be accomplished using two sub-aims.
In Aim 2 a we will conduct a policy analysis of how benefit-risk tradeoffs are considered in health care decision making for WGS, including coverage/reimbursement decisions and clinical guideline development, and how they compare to those of more established genetic tests.
In Aim 2 b we will develop (1) a framework to conceptualize, identify, and define data needed to assess the value of WGS;and (2) a prototypical cost-effectiveness model of one likely finding from WGS?identification of Lynch syndrome?using data from Aims 1 and 2a, MedSeq, and our previous analyses. This will be the first national study to our knowledge of patient and physician preferences relevant to WGS in the general population, to compare preferences from a clinical trial to a national population, and to systematically examine implications of WGS for the health care system and society. The proposed work is significant in that it will produce evidence of how WGS can be most effectively and efficiently adopted while also understanding its limitations?information that will be useful to patients, providers, researchers, and policymakers. Our work will have broad impact on and implications for clinical practice and health policy and will build on the research currently being conducted by our experienced and diverse team. In sum, this study will address a significant topic using innovative adaptation of methods. The study is being proposed at the right time in the development of WGS?a time when the study results will have an impact on the emerging science, when we can leverage the resources of an ongoing trial, and when we have the right team in place to conduct the research.

Public Health Relevance

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a new and evolving technology that is highly relevant to public health because of its potential use in risk assessment, disease diagnosis, treatment decision making and research. The implementation of WGS will involve a complex set of decisions that must consider preferences of the relevant stakeholders and the impact on patients, providers, and society - in addition to the scientific evidence about validity and utility of findings. This project is critical now to examine the translation of this technology into clinical care and health policy before technology becomes widely implemented in the population.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HG007063-01
Application #
8420250
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SEIR)
Program Officer
Mcewen, Jean
Project Start
2013-02-15
Project End
2017-01-31
Budget Start
2013-02-15
Budget End
2014-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$507,770
Indirect Cost
$165,918
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Ginsburg, Geoffrey S; Phillips, Kathryn A (2018) Precision Medicine: From Science To Value. Health Aff (Millwood) 37:694-701
Trosman, Julia R; Weldon, Christine B; Gradishar, William J et al. (2018) From the Past to the Present: Insurer Coverage Frameworks for Next-Generation Tumor Sequencing. Value Health 21:1062-1068
Christensen, Kurt D; Phillips, Kathryn A; Green, Robert C et al. (2018) Cost Analyses of Genomic Sequencing: Lessons Learned from the MedSeq Project. Value Health 21:1054-1061
Phillips, Kathryn A; Trosman, Julia R; Deverka, Patricia A et al. (2018) Insurance coverage for genomic tests. Science 360:278-279
Phillips, Kathryn A (2018) Evolving Payer Coverage Policies on Genomic Sequencing Tests: Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning? JAMA 319:2379-2380
Christensen, Kurt D; Vassy, Jason L; Phillips, Kathryn A et al. (2018) Short-term costs of integrating whole-genome sequencing into primary care and cardiology settings: a pilot randomized trial. Genet Med :
Phillips, Kathryn A (2018) Assessing the Value of Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies: An Introduction. Value Health 21:1031-1032
Phillips, Kathryn A; Deverka, Patricia A; Marshall, Deborah A et al. (2018) Methodological Issues in Assessing the Economic Value of Next-Generation Sequencing Tests: Many Challenges and Not Enough Solutions. Value Health 21:1033-1042
Douglas, Michael P; Parker, Stephanie L; Trosman, Julia R et al. (2018) Private payer coverage policies for exome sequencing (ES) in pediatric patients: trends over time and analysis of evidence cited. Genet Med :
Phillips, Kathryn A; Deverka, Patricia A; Hooker, Gillian W et al. (2018) Genetic Test Availability And Spending: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going? Health Aff (Millwood) 37:710-716

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