A new service is looking to assess the value of genetic tests to determine if they work as advertised and are worth the cost for treating patients.
Hayes Inc., a Philadelphia-based company that provides evidence-based research for various segments of the healthcare industry and policymakers, has launched Genetic Test Evaluation, a subscription-based online service.
Hayes officials said the service will help sort through the information and clinical trial data on nearly 1,200 genetic tests that are currently available.
"As these tests come to the forefront of diagnosis and treatment of disease, there are many questions regarding their accuracy, validity and clinical utility," said Winifred S. Hayes, president and CEO of the company.
The service is intended to provide objective information on the science behind the tests, the clinical evidence that supports them and the use of the tests in clinical practice.
Ratings range from A, for those tests showing established benefits through evidence that they are valid and provide utility, to D, for no proven benefit, indicating a test lacks validity or utility or there is insufficient evidence to evaluate the test.
"Millions of dollars are being spent on genetic tests by hospitals and insurers and by consumers," Hayes said. "But our initial analysis indicates that the evidence is insufficient to substantiate the clinical validity and utility of many of these tests."
For example, Hayes medical analysts found inadequate evidence for some of the most widely used genetic tests for breast cancer, including Mammostrat, MammaPrint, Oncotype DX and Rotterdam Signature. All received Hayes ratings of C or lower.
Many of these tests give results that cause unnecessary anxiety for patients, or the test results don't result in a course of action such as prevention or treatment, Hayes said.