Biology journal report - Essay Example

Kevin M Chin, MD, MS, Benjamin Wessler, BA, Priscilla Chew, MPH, and Joseph Lau, MD "Genetics Tests for Cancer" Technology Assessment (2006 38: AReviewChin, Wessler and Chew’s study on “Genetic Test for Cancer” aimed at identifying genetic tests advocated for use in the prevention, diagnosis and management of cancer. They planned their work in two parts. The aim of part one was the identification of available genomic tests for cancer prevention, analysis and treatment. Part II sought to determine cancer genetic tests in development.

For part I, 62 tests were found for nine cancer types. A quarter of the tests could be used for cancer prevention while most tests could be used in cancer diagnosis and management. With Grey literature as the primary data source, the researchers found 104 genetic tests that are in development. 68% of these tests were found in LexisNexis and Cambridge Health Institutes (CHI) databases, 38% from 8 more Grey literature databases. 4% were obtained through alternative resources like opinion leaders interviews and national conferences.

76% of the total tests being developed were limited to only 5 of the ten most common cancers in terms of mortality. Most of these tests only appeared to be related to cancer diagnosis and management, but no clinical validity has been established yet. The authors of the article found LexisNexis and CHI databases as the most useful to their project.The authors discussed limitations of this research. The researchers relied highly on Grey literature where LexisNexis and CHI were the primary sources of cancer genomic tests in development (68%) (Chin, Wessler and Chew, Genetic Test for Cancer).

In addition, three-quarters of the genomic cancer tests in development addressed in this article were for only 5 of the ten most dangerous cancers in deaths. There may be other tests in development present in other literature sources (other than Grey Literature databases) that may address more of the lethal cancers. Identification of such tests can be crucial as it will give hope that in the near future, a solution may be provided for at least the worst cancers in terms of lethality. Hence, more research in more sources is essential.

The authors also appreciated that almost all of the cited developing genetic tests only appear to be related to management and cancer diagnosis as no clinical validity has been established yet. This implies that data analysis in this article may be misleading as it relies on assumption that those tests are linked to cancer diagnosis and management.This article shows that currently available tests for prevention and treatment of cancer are few. More cancer preventive genetic tests are in development.

However, literature sources used in this research are insufficient. Developing tests identified are associated with only 5 of the most deadly cancers. More sources need to be used in future studies on Cancer Genetic Tests.Works CitedChin, Kevin M, et al. "Genetics Tests for Cancer." Technology Assessment (2006): 1-38.