The Importance of Biomarker Testing
- Biomarker testing — which involves identifying specific aspects of how a cancer behaves — has rapidly become a cornerstone of modern cancer care.
- By identifying specific genetic, molecular, or protein markers linked to cancer growth, biomarker testing allows oncologists to tailor treatments to the specific characteristics of each patient’s tumor.
- Dr. David Hyman, Chief Medical Officer at Eli Lilly and Company, stresses that more patients need access to biomarker testing so their doctors can offer them the best, tailored cancer care. This involves patient education, so patients know when to request biomarker testing, as well as physician education.
Not too long ago, cancer treatments were limited primarily to one-size-fits-all regimens such as chemotherapy and radiation. As researchers gained more profound insights into the biological underpinnings of tumors, new opportunities emerged to develop therapies that target cancer’s specific weak spots. This is where biomarkers come in. When physicians test for these biomarkers, they can determine which targeted therapy — or, in some cases, immunotherapy — will be most effective.
Read More“Biomarker testing is increasingly relevant for many of the medicines that we and others are developing. These are medicines that have a very specific way of acting, and we also need to select our patients specifically. It’s not enough to know sometimes that they have lung cancer or breast cancer. We need to know exactly what makes that cancer tick. That involves what we call biomarker testing, which is an analysis of the cancer to understand what its specific drivers are,” Dr. Hyman adds.
Disparities in Access to Biomarker Testing
Despite the many benefits of biomarker testing, significant gaps remain in who receives it. Some factors contributing to these disparities include differences in insurance coverage, availability of testing facilities, and variations in physician awareness or training. In many regions/countries, patients who are treated at large, specialized cancer centers have more comprehensive access to advanced tests than those in smaller or underserved communities.
“What I have been a little bit disappointed about — and I don’t think I recognized this in my former life when I practiced at a major cancer center — is that not everyone who needs these tests actually gets them. Many patients don’t receive the testing they deserve, so they don’t know they could benefit from these medicines,” Dr. Hyman explains.
Dr. Hyman underscores the need for broader education and awareness campaigns to close these gaps. By advocating for routine biomarker testing in appropriate cases, healthcare systems can ensure that more patients — regardless of where they get their treatment — benefit from targeted therapies.
Improving access to biomarker testing requires a multi-pronged approach, including:
- Adjusting healthcare policy: Ensuring broad insurance coverage for essential biomarker tests can remove a significant financial barrier for patients.
- Physician education: Ongoing education for doctors is crucial so they recognize when to order biomarker tests and how to interpret the results.
- Patient advocacy: Patients should be encouraged to ask questions about biomarker testing. If a test isn’t mentioned, they can raise the topic with their healthcare team.
- Research and innovation: Continued funding for research can help identify new biomarkers and refine existing tests, making them more accurate and more accessible.
Healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients working together can help bridge the current gaps. Ultimately, every patient who might benefit from a targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or other precision-based approach deserves the chance to undergo biomarker testing.
“I’m an optimist. I believe that as more companies like ours work on these therapies, and as more are made available, adoption of biomarker testing will continue to improve. It’s been slower than I’d like, but we’ll keep pushing on this problem, and I’m sure others are as well,” Dr. Hyman adds.
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