Pathology

Genomics

Bioinformatics

Biology

Gene

Deep sequencing

Precision medicine

Genome

Oncology

Personal genomics

Personalized medicine

Transparency (behavior)

Computer science

DNA sequencing

Computational biology

Genomic medicine

Precision oncology

Computer security

Genetics

Medicine

Journal of Personalized Medicine

Precision medicine seeks to use genomic data to help provide the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Next-generation sequencing technology allows for the rapid and accurate sequencing of many genes at once. This technology is becoming more common in oncology, though the clinical benefit of incorporating it into precision medicine strategies remains under significant debate. In this manuscript, we discuss the early findings of the impact of next-generation sequencing on cancer patient outcomes. We investigate why not all patients with genomic variants linked to a specific therapy receive that therapy and describe current barriers. Finally, we explore the current state of health insurance coverage for individual genome sequencing and targeted therapies for cancer. Based on our analysis, we recommend increased transparency around the determination of “actionable mutations” and a heightened focus on investigating the variations in health insurance coverage across patients receiving sequencing-matched therapies.

The Role of Next-Generation Sequencing in Precision Medicine: A Review of Outcomes in Oncology