SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitae (NYSE:
NVTA), a leading medical genetics company, today announced
enrollment has begun for a nationwide study to better understand
the role of current genetic testing guidelines in ensuring prostate
cancer patients receive testing to identify clinically relevant
genetic variants that can inform prognosis and support access to
targeted therapies. The study is supported by Invitae and is part
of the company's ongoing work to increase access to genetic
information for men with prostate cancer.
"Currently, germline testing guidelines for patients with
prostate cancer have evolved from more than one set of NCCN
guidelines and some may still find these guidelines difficult to
implement in everyday practice," said Neal
D. Shore, M.D., F.A.C.S. from the Carolina Urologic Research
Center in Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina, and the principal investigator of the study.
"Guidelines were established when testing was both more expensive
and less accessible and don't address newer therapeutic approvals
and trial literature for expanding therapeutic options, missing
many patients whose clinical care and treatment choices could
benefit from genetic information. Our study is intended to provide
a deeper understanding of how these issues impact the care of men
with prostate cancer so that we might improve how genetic
information can be assessed and utilized for their cancer care and
potentially inform their family members."
The use and importance of genetic information in the diagnosis
and treatment of prostate cancer has been growing, particularly as
the development of targeted treatments continues to accelerate.
Despite its utility, guidelines governing testing among prostate
cancer patients remain restrictive, and genetic information is
underutilized in prostate cancer care. The study will determine
whether guidelines are adequate in identifying patients who may
benefit from genetic testing.
"Simplifying and possibly expanding current testing guidelines
would provide benefits for medical management of men with prostate
cancer and offer opportunities for targeted therapies, including
PARP inhibitors and qualification for clinical trials," said
Robert Nussbaum, M.D., chief medical
officer of Invitae. "In addition, the genes involved in prostate
cancer include BRCA1 and 2, which as we all know also
play an important role in breast and ovarian cancer, and
MSH6 and other genes involved in hereditary colon cancer.
Widespread testing among men with prostate cancer could have an
important role in not only improving their care but also the health
of their relatives."
The study will enroll men across the country who have been
diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both men who meet and don't meet
current testing guidelines will be included to gather data on
whether genetic testing results change treatment and
recommendations. In addition, the study will also gather data on
the patient's experience with genetic testing.
A study presented recently by Invitae at the American
College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) underscored the
frequency of actionable variants expanded testing can help uncover.
The study of 2,252 men found an overall positive rate of 13% with
no statistical differences in rates among stages of disease. Only
half of patients with an actionable variant reported a family
history suggestive of increased risk. Nearly three-quarters (71%)
of positive patients were eligible for management guidelines and/or
potentially eligible for approved precision therapies or clinical
trials.
An estimated three million men are living with prostate cancer
in the U.S., and just under 200,000 are newly diagnosed each
year.
Contact clinicalstudies@invitae.com for more information about
the study.
About Invitae
Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) is
a leading medical genetics company whose mission is to bring
comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medicine to
improve healthcare for billions of people. Invitae's goal is to
aggregate the world's genetic tests into a single service with
higher quality, faster turnaround time, and lower prices. For more
information, visit the company's website at invitae.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
relating to the use and importance of genetic testing and
information; and the benefits of simplifying and possibly expanding
current testing guidelines for men with prostate cancer.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially, and reported
results should not be considered as an indication of future
performance. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to: the company's history of losses; the company's
ability to compete; the company's failure to manage growth
effectively; the company's need to scale its infrastructure in
advance of demand for its tests and to increase demand for its
tests; the company's ability to use rapidly changing genetic data
to interpret test results accurately and consistently; security
breaches, loss of data and other disruptions; laws and regulations
applicable to the company's business; and the other risks set forth
in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the risks set forth in the company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. These forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date hereof, and Invitae Corporation disclaims
any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Laura D'Angelo
pr@invitae.com
(628) 213-3283
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SOURCE Invitae Corporation