A first-of-its-kind national cancer genetic testing program commences this month in the UK. The Stratified Medicine Program, managed by Cancer Research UK, will analyze tumor samples of 9,000 patients with one of six common cancers to customize treatment to the tumor’s genetic composition. Seven hospitals and three laboratories will be involved in testing the samples for genes and mutations that affect cancer development. The results will place patients into various groups for treatment. Program partners will fund £16 million ($26 million) of the initial phase of the program, with existing budgets supplying remaining costs. The partners, which include the Technology Strategy Board, the National Health Service (NHS), AstraZeneca, Pfizer and PA Consulting, will adhere to the same processes, with the goal of using genetic testing to establish a uniform nationwide personalized cancer treatment program. Other goals of the two- to three-year program are to determine whether targeted treatment procedures are more effective and whether they could reduce costs for the NHS.

Source: Financial Times