After the successful piloting of the Diagnostic Assessment Programme (DAP), NICE is pushing forward with the first wave of topics. HEDS has been allocated gene expression profiling (GEP) to guide selection of chemotherapy regimes in breast cancer management. GEP tests, such as oncotype, allow additional information to be gained relating to the chemosensitivity of the tumour and/or recurrence risk. This then allows treatments to be better targeted, and in theory, improve prognosis. Whether use of these tests is cost-effective, is an open question.
HEDS’ work will include a full systematic review of the tests and the development of a de novo cost-effectiveness model. The work is being undertaken by Sue Ward, Rachid Rafia, Alison Scope and Abdullah Pandor.
