Health Ministry to reimburse lung cancer patients for new test method
This is a watershed moment for Israeli cancer testing, because it promotes widespread adoption of newer, more advanced models of testing that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFLung cancer maliciously inserted into image in Ben-Gurion University of the Negev study(photo credit: BGU)
In a major milestone moment, the Health Ministry will reimburse non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients for comprehensive molecular profiling tests.The announcement, which was made in a letter from the ministry to health insurance medical directors, added that every NSCLC patient in the country is eligible for comprehensive molecular profiling as part of the expansion of the Health Services Basket.The decision, which goes into effect this month, is a watershed moment for Israeli cancer testing, because it promotes widespread adoption of newer, more advanced models of testing that have the potential to improve outcomes for patients.These next-generation sequencing (NGS) tests are the next step in cancer testing, as they are far less time-consuming than single-gene methods because they profile hundreds of genes simultaneously.In order to facilitate the adoption of this new testing method, many hospitals around the country are validating their tests by using Thermo Fisher's Scientific Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus, a pan-cancer test that enables comprehensive genomic profiling of more than 500 genes. So far, Haifa's Rambam Health Care Campus, Ramat Gan's Sheba Medical Center, Beersheba's Soroka Medical Center, Jerusalem's Hadassah-University Medical Center and Maccabi Healthcare Services have received approval to use tests using the assays validated by Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus.In addition, should a comprehensive molecular profiling not be possible, there are six laboratories in the country that can conduct broad molecular profiling with Thermo Fisher's Oncome DxTarget Test, which is an NGS-based method that evaluates tumor samples.Both tests are distributed on behalf of Thermo Fisher in Israel by Rhenium Oncotest.“We are pleased with the decision to provide reimbursement for NGS-based molecular testing in Israel,” Rhenium Oncotest CEO Lior Soussan-Gutman, Ph.D. said in a statement.“We are prepared to support laboratories throughout the country and to carry out the tests according to the Health Services Basket decision."The Health Ministry is expected to announce updates on additional laboratories approved to perform tests in the coming weeks.
