Economic value assessment of next-generation sequencing technologies in blood cancers

MARTIN VU
PhD Student
Cancer Health Services Research, Centre for Health Policy
University of Melbourne

Unravelling the human genome through next-generation sequencing technologies has ushered new approaches in determining the most appropriate treatment personalised to each person living with blood cancer. However, widespread use of these medical innovations in clinical practice, both nationally and internationally, is restricted under certain settings.

To this end, several key challenges regarding cost, public coverage, and reimbursement of precision medicine products (such as genomic testing and associated targeted therapies) need to be addressed so that genomics can be embedded into routine clinical care in blood cancer. This includes policy decisions on the allocation of healthcare resources for next-generation sequencing technologies, which traditionally have been based on economic value in terms of health benefits and costs. However, the impact of genomic-driven strategies extends beyond these value metrics, challenging traditional evaluation frameworks.

This seminar will present on findings on a recent systematic review to highlight urgent need to remedy the gap between the health economic research and clinical practice for next-generation sequencing technologies in blood cancers. This seminar will also discuss forward looking approaches to further understand the health economic value of genomic testing.

Martin Vu is a PhD Student with the Cancer Health Services Research, led by Professor Maarten IJzerman. He has a background in health economics and has a strong interest in creating transformative healthcare changes in genomics for people living with blood cancer. Martin is the recipient of the 2021 Picchi Award for Excellence in Cancer Research and the President of the Victoria-Tasmania student chapter of the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research.