Diagnostic testing has been improving the quality of cancer care. The dynamics of this field can be grasped through the application of innovation lifecycle models. Single testing, parallel testing and whole-genome sequencing are major technological evolutions. Given the increasing availability of biomarkers, the performance of single testing will be limited in the future, favoring the further implementation of parallel testing technologies. Whole-genome sequencing will lead to a further performance increase by introducing the era of genomic medicine. A broad adoption of presently available diagnostic technologies sets up the infrastructure for future technologies. The speed at which these technologies are introduced depends heavily on the regulatory and reimbursement environment, while their final diffusion is subject to pragmatic criteria such as user friendliness, perceived risk and perceived value added.
Keywords: diagnostic testing; medical oncology; molecular diagnostic techniques; multiplex assays; personalized medicine; technology S-curve; whole-genome sequencing.