A recent study conducted by researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) and NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center found that a specialized chatbot can effectively assist patients in deciding whether to pursue genetic testing, offering an alternative to traditional genetic counseling. Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD, co-leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of communication at the U, believes that the results of the BRIDGE trial could help expand patient access to genetic care. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 10% of all cancers may be caused by inherited genetic changes, yet many people are unaware of their risk. The goal of the study was to find sustainable and scalable ways to provide genetic services to those who may benefit from testing.
The current standard of care model for genetic testing involves a two-appointment process where patients first meet with a genetic counselor to discuss their family history, risks, benefits, and limitations of testing. The BRIDGE trial used an algorithm to identify patients at higher risk for inherited cancer syndromes based on their self-reported family health histories. More than 3,000 participants from Utah and New York were divided into two groups – one pursuing the standard two-appointment model and the other engaging with a chatbot designed to provide genetics education instead of a pre-test appointment with a genetic counselor. Participants in the chatbot group were able to receive information about genetic testing and ask questions to help them make informed decisions about proceeding with testing.
Researchers found that participants in both groups were equally likely to complete genetic testing, demonstrating that a chatbot is a viable alternative to the traditional model of genetic counseling. The goal of the study was not to determine if the chatbot was better or worse than traditional counseling, but rather to establish if it could be another model to offer genetic services to patients with similar outcomes. This model could potentially help provide genetic testing to more eligible patients and take some of the burden off genetic counselors. Rachelle Chambers, MS, CGC, manager of the High-Risk Cancer Genetics Program at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, believes that the promising results of this trial are crucial as knowledge of and demand for genetic testing continues to increase.
Genetic testing has evolved over the years to include analysis of a wider range of genes linked to various cancers. Knowing one’s genetic risk for cancer can help individuals take proactive steps in prevention, such as increased screenings, medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes. The results of the BRIDGE trial have been published in JAMA Network Open and were co-led by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute and NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center. This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The researchers involved in the study hope that the findings will contribute to expanding access to genetic services for patients at risk for inherited cancer syndromes and highlight the importance of innovative models of care delivery in the field of genetics.