Cancer patients' perspectives and practices regarding pharmacogenomic testing and its cost

Pharmacogenomics is a cornerstone of precision medicine. Its major aim is to tailor drug therapy based on individual genetic variations which influence drug pharmacokinetics and dynamics. In the field of oncology, pharmacogenomic testing has become an efficient tool for predicting treatment outcomes and avoiding severe adverse reactions. Understanding the perspectives, attitudes, and willingness of cancer patients toward pharmacogenomic testing is critical for successful implementation. Despite that, research in this area is still inadequate in the Middle East.

This cross-sectional study utilized a survey distributed to cancer patients currently receiving chemotherapy at three outpatient oncology clinics in the West Bank, Palestine.

The study included 368 participants with an almost equal gender distribution. Only 19.8% of the participants had heard of pharmacogenomic testing, while 4.9% of them claimed to have performed a pharmacogenomic test. About one-third of participants reported no understanding of pharmacogenomic testing, with another 31% understanding "a little." Most of the participants (74%, n = 274) were willing to provide a blood sample for the test, and 53% were willing to pay for the test. The mean maximum out-of-pocket amount the participants were willing to pay was 230 NIS, while the mean reasonable price was 1307 NIS.

Across all dimensions, Palestinian patients demonstrated limited awareness but moderate acceptance of pharmacogenomic testing once given some information. Most of the participants expressed their willingness to undergo genetic testing if it could reduce their risk of severe side effects, hospitalizations, or treatment delays.