Wir überwinden Grenzen

Patients with cancer or rare diseases in particular benefit from genomic diagnostics / Cost coverage by health insurance companies at selected locations from 2023 / Freiburg one of 11 centers nationwide with a complete portfolio

Gene data is a central key to improved diagnostics and therapy in medicine. The Medical Center - University of Freiburg has now been selected by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (G-KV) as one of eleven centers nationwide where comprehensive gene analyses in the field of cancer medicine and rare diseases will be reimbursed by statutory health insurance funds in the future. While smaller gene analyses are already widely anchored in molecular diagnostics, the very extensive gene analyses have so far only been covered in individual cases as part of clinical studies. The G-KV's decision was based on the highest quality criteria in diagnostics and possibilities for clinical implementation. The regulation will apply from January 2023 and is part of the G-KV's genome sequencing pilot project.

Getting to the molecular root of cancer

"In future, comprehensive genome analysis for patients with cancer or a rare disease will be standard practice at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. With this valuable information, we will significantly improve the search for the right therapy in difficult cases. This means that personalized medicine has arrived on the therapeutic scene," says project leader Prof. Dr. Dr. Judith Fischer, Medical Director of the Institute for Human Genetics at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. A disease is considered rare if it occurs in fewer than five out of 10,000 people. Around four million people in Germany are affected by a rare disease.

The genome of cancer cells contains valuable information that reveals a great deal about their aggressiveness, but also indicates highly precise treatment options. This is investigated in diagnostic molecular pathology. "Depending on the molecular changes in the cancer cells, we can provide important information for a tailored treatment recommendation. This allows us to get to the molecular root of the cancer," said Prof. Dr. Martin Werner, Medical Director of the Center for Pathology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Rare diseases - ending the odyssey

This is also good news for patients with rare diseases. "If a rare disease is suspected, in many cases only a genome analysis of the germline can provide clarity. This allows us to shorten the often lengthy search for the correct diagnosis and find suitable therapies in a targeted manner," says Fischer.

Highest quality as a basis

As part of the model project, centers were specifically selected that meet the highest quality standards in sequencing and ensure that the molecular results are linked to further diagnostics and the resulting therapy recommendations in line with guidelines. To this end, the team works closely with the team led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Melanie Börries, Medical Director of the Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The samples are usually blood or tissue samples that are required for other diagnostic procedures anyway.

Caption: Thegene data is processed in the laboratory quickly, in the highest quality and in a way that is easy to understand for clinical use:Prof. Dr. Dr. Melanie Börries, Medical Director of the Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, and Prof. Dr. Silke Laßmann, Scientific Director of the Molecular Pathology Department at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg's Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine.

Image source: Medical Center - University of Freiburg / Britt Schilling

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Judith Fischer
Medical Director
Institute for Human Genetics
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761-270-70510
judith.fischer@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Prof. Dr. Martin Werner
Medical Director
Center for Pathology
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761-270-80060
pat.direktion@uniklinik-freiburg.de