Genomic innovation will better target NHS treatment

Increased support is to be given to manufacturers of genomics-based medical technologies following an independent review of their potential impact on future healthcare services in the UK.

The development of a national data storage facility, assistance in ensuring adoption of innovations within the NHS, and the creation of a service delivery model for new technologies are just three of the recommendations made by an independent cross-government advisory group on genomics.

Genomics expands our knowledge beyond single gene analysis to the whole genome, increasing our ability to gauge an individual’s risk of disease and support better diagnosis and treatment

Genomic technology enables more accurate molecular testing, often before diseases such as cancer and sickle cell anaemia become more advanced. This means patients can receive the right treatment sooner.

Professor Sir John Bell, chairman of the Human Genomics Strategy Group, which made a total of six recommendations for improving genomics research and technology adoption, said: “Genomics expands our knowledge beyond single gene analysis to the whole genome, increasing our ability to gauge an individual’s risk of disease and support better diagnosis and treatment.

“The UK is the leader in genomic research and the strategy group wants to see this position maintained and built upon. This will take a concerted effort from all the key players in research, academia, industry and the NHS.

The UK is the leader in genomic research and the strategy group wants to see this position maintained and built upon

“Adopting the recommendations in our report would lead to further revolutionary developments in our ability to diagnose, treat and prevent disease and I urge the Government to consider them.”

The recommendations in full are:

• To develop a cross-cutting strategic document to set out the direction on genomic technology adoption in the NHS
• To develop a national central genomic data storage facility
• That the NHS Commissioning Board should lead on developing genomic technology adoption
• To work to develop a service model for genomic technologies
• That the NHS should continue to develop genomics training and education
• To raise public awareness of genomic technology and its benefits

While the Government is yet to formally respond to the recommendations, health ministers have voiced their support for increased access to molecular tests, particularly in the field of oncology.

Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said recently: “The promise of genomic technology, with its capacity to improve our understanding of the nature of disease and how our genes can inform our response to therapy, is immense, but as yet developmental. The ability to use molecular testing of cancers to match individuals to the most-appropriate treatment is revolutionary.”

The Government must now act on the recommendations so that the NHS builds the capabilities and skills it needs if patients are to benefit

And he recently announced a new commissioning and funding structure for molecular cancer testing, which will give greater access to NHS patients.

He added: “The new developments can help patients to get the best treatments to improve their chances of survival and their quality of life. We want to make sure that all patients can benefit from these tests. We have, therefore, been working to establish a new system to ensure speedy introduction of high-quality tests. This is the way forward for the future.”

This is an approach supported by Wellcome Trust, which spends more than £100 a year on genomic research. Its director, Sir Mark Walport, said: “Our advancing ability to read and understand the genetic code is already beginning to spark transformative improvements in healthcare by redefining diagnosis and revealing the processes of disease. The Government must now act on the recommendations so that the NHS builds the capabilities and skills it needs if patients are to benefit.”