Background: Novel technologies offer great possibilities for improving patient care, but their adoption varies across different European countries. To successfully integrate these advancements, it is crucial to prioritize patient interests and avoid getting side-tracked by issues that seek to preserve established positions or neglect collaboration. Next-generation sequencing and liquid biopsy in cancer patients hold substantial potential for early diagnosis and reducing suffering, but only if they are effectively implemented into routine health care.
Methods: An examination of the infrastructure and governance requirements in European member states was conducted to identify significant gaps and discrepancies in the readiness to capitalize on the benefits that these technologies can provide.
Results: These disparities highlight the existing inequalities and missed opportunities within the European Union (EU), which are further exacerbated by varying economic statuses.
Conclusions: As Europe undergoes a comprehensive review of its health policies and public spending between 2024 and 2025, it is an opportune time to prioritize ensuring that patients can access the advancements offered by technology and science.
Keywords: health care; next-generation sequencing; personalized medicine; public health genomics.
Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.