Especially for you advanced PCa guys who have wondered whether insurance will pay for genetic testing of a solid tumor biopsy, here’s some recent good news:
/www.reuters.com/article/us-foundation-approval/foundations-cancer-gene-test-gets-u-s-fda-and-medicare-nod-idUSKBN1DU32T“Foundation's cancer gene test gets U.S. FDA and Medicare nod
.....Tests like FoundationOne can help doctors tailor cancer treatments to the genetic mutations driving a patient’s tumor.
The FoundationOne CDx test also probes tumor samples for biomarkers linked with response to immunotherapy drugs. That includes Merck & Co Inc’s Keytruda, which in May won FDA approval for use in patients whose tumors carry a specific genetic glitch, regardless of where in the body the tumor is located.
The FoundationOne test is the first ever FDA-approved comprehensive companion diagnostic for multiple types of cancer. Previously, the FDA has approved such tests as companion diagnostics for drugs targeting a single genetic glitch.”
But then they add this:
“Cancer experts are in disagreement as to whether testing tumors for mutations driving the cancer and picking drugs that target these mutations ultimately benefits patients.”
Which is sort of goofy, IMHO. Either it’s useful for YOU, or it’s not. The probability of it being useful may be low-ish, but if it’s useful, it’s usually VERY useful. As in Dave’s case - PSA two days ago, still undetectable.
—Carolyn