Genetic Diagnostic Tests: A Growing Market

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on April 17, 2006

An article in the New York times discusses the growing number of genetic diagnostic tests designed to gauge cancer risks and possibly identify a patient's response to certain therapies. Here are some of the companies offering such diagnostic tests:

• Genomic Health offers Oncotype DX, which identifies estrogen-sensitive cancer patients, who are responsive to hormone therapy, as an alternative to chemotherapy. Price: $3,500


• XDx offers a AlloMap, blood test that gauges the probability of a patient rejecting a transplanted heart. Price: $3,000


• Myriad Genetics offers BRACAnalysis, a test for the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer; COLARIS and COLARIS AP for hereditary colorectal and endometrial cancer; and MELARIS for inherited susceptibility to melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Price (BRACAnalysis): $3,000


• Monogram Biosciences offers HIV assays that help gauge which antiretroviral drugs are best to treat a particular AIDS patient. Price: $1,460


• Exact Sciences offers a DNA-based colorectal cancer screening. Cost: $500


• Aureon Laboratories conducts ProstatePx, a combination of tests and uses a computer algorithm to predict recurrence of prostate cancer. Price: $2,000

These are just among the many diagnostic tests being developed out there. Whether medical insurances would shoulder the expenses or not, some patients would willingly shell out the money for the information they will obtain from such expensive tests. But is it ethical to leave access to such personalized medicine to the few who can afford it?