According to the Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, approximately 100 hospitals and medical institutions will consider providing cancer genomics-based treatments to patients in fiscal 2018, which will involve determining the most appropriate and effective treatment for a patient based on their personal genetic information. Hospitals will submit applications and, after a review by the Ministry, 12 will be appointed “core hospitals” by March. The core hospitals will play a vital role in the new proposal, conducting bulk tests and analysis of over 100 gene types and sending the information to collaborating hospitals, which will directly treat the patients by selecting specific drugs and treatments in accordance with the analyses of the genetic tests. For the purposes of patient accessibility, collaborating hospitals will be located throughout Japan. Core hospitals will provide treatment options as well.  The approximately 100 hospitals that are considering participation in the initiative are vying for both core and collaborating designations.

Source: The Japan News