Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland
Introduction: Advancements in precision medicine and genomics have led to prospects in a wide range of clinical fields, including oncology. In particular, developments in next-generation sequencing multigene panel tests have led to the possibility of tailoring treatment to the specific genomic marke...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Genetics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1343720/full |
| _version_ | 1797339310906671104 |
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| author | Kate Nakasato Carlotta Manz Kazuto Kato |
| author_facet | Kate Nakasato Carlotta Manz Kazuto Kato |
| author_sort | Kate Nakasato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Advancements in precision medicine and genomics have led to prospects in a wide range of clinical fields, including oncology. In particular, developments in next-generation sequencing multigene panel tests have led to the possibility of tailoring treatment to the specific genomic markers of a patient’s cancer. However, findings from current literature suggest that the path to implementation and uptake of genomic medicine is not without uncertainties and challenges.Methods: To better understand the current challenges to the implementation of genomic medicine services, we investigated the current state of patient access to genomic medicine in Japan and Switzerland. In this investigation, we focused on equal access, patient autonomy, and healthcare affordability.Results: Results have shown that although multigene panel testing is in principle covered by health insurance in both countries, barriers exist in terms of where the tests are available, comprehensive information for patients, and the affordability of not only the test itself but the overall process from diagnosis to treatment.Discussion: These results suggest a need to continue examining a more diverse range of clinical landscapes for genomic medicine to reveal more nuanced understandings of barriers to implementation and thus better identify best practices for overcoming them. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:44:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3b1697a5f954478a0e17a25ee3820e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-8021 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:44:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Genetics |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3b1697a5f954478a0e17a25ee3820e92024-01-29T16:41:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212024-01-011510.3389/fgene.2024.13437201343720Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and SwitzerlandKate Nakasato0Carlotta Manz1Kazuto Kato2Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, JapanCentre of Comparative, European and International Law, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandDepartment of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, JapanIntroduction: Advancements in precision medicine and genomics have led to prospects in a wide range of clinical fields, including oncology. In particular, developments in next-generation sequencing multigene panel tests have led to the possibility of tailoring treatment to the specific genomic markers of a patient’s cancer. However, findings from current literature suggest that the path to implementation and uptake of genomic medicine is not without uncertainties and challenges.Methods: To better understand the current challenges to the implementation of genomic medicine services, we investigated the current state of patient access to genomic medicine in Japan and Switzerland. In this investigation, we focused on equal access, patient autonomy, and healthcare affordability.Results: Results have shown that although multigene panel testing is in principle covered by health insurance in both countries, barriers exist in terms of where the tests are available, comprehensive information for patients, and the affordability of not only the test itself but the overall process from diagnosis to treatment.Discussion: These results suggest a need to continue examining a more diverse range of clinical landscapes for genomic medicine to reveal more nuanced understandings of barriers to implementation and thus better identify best practices for overcoming them.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1343720/fullmultigene panel testingequal accesspatient autonomyhealthcare affordabilitygenomic medicineprecision medicine |
| spellingShingle | Kate Nakasato Carlotta Manz Kazuto Kato Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland Frontiers in Genetics multigene panel testing equal access patient autonomy healthcare affordability genomic medicine precision medicine |
| title | Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland |
| title_full | Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland |
| title_fullStr | Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland |
| title_short | Access, autonomy, and affordability: ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in Japan and Switzerland |
| title_sort | access autonomy and affordability ethical and human rights issues surrounding multigene panel testing for cancer in japan and switzerland |
| topic | multigene panel testing equal access patient autonomy healthcare affordability genomic medicine precision medicine |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1343720/full |
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