CHICAGO, June 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new analysis
of genetic testing results among prostate cancer patients shows a
substantial portion of patients with clinically significant genetic
variants will be missed under current testing guidelines. These
data add to the evidence supporting the re-evaluation of germline
genetic testing guidelines for prostate cancer patients. The study
was presented by a team including researchers from Invitae
Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) and the Tulane University School of
Medicine at the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Annual Meeting in Chicago, where
it was designated a "Best of ASCO" presentation.
The study found 17.2% of patients exhibited pathogenic variants,
potentially pathogenic variants, or risk alleles across a number of
genes; among these patients, 37% would not have qualified for
testing under current guidelines. The analysis included
de-identified data from 1158 patients who underwent genetic testing
using a panel of 25-79 cancer-related genes from Invitae.
Additional findings included:
- The majority (65.5%) of variants occurred in genes other than
BRCA1/2, the only two genes tested under current guidelines
- 9.5% of variants occurred in genes associated with Lynch
syndrome, an inherited disorder that puts patients at significantly
elevated risk for several different cancers at a young age
- 12 patients had variants in more than one gene.
"This study solidly underscores the need to reevaluate how we
test prostate patients for genetic variants associated with
disease, in terms of both expanding who we offer testing to and
broadening the list of genes we test them for beyond just
BRCA1 and BRCA2," said Oliver
Sartor, MD, Laborde Professor of Cancer Research, Tulane
Cancer Center in New Orleans and a
co-author of the study. "Patients who have variants in these genes
may be more likely to have aggressive disease and genetic
information about a number of genes may have implications for
treatment decisions."
"Some of the genes implicated in prostate cancer are also
associated with other conditions, making it vital for patients and
their families to have genetic information. For example, a
BRCA variant may be passed on to a daughter putting her at
risk for breast cancer, or a Lynch syndrome variant may
indicate a risk for colon cancer, uterine or ovarian cancer, as
well as other cancers," said Robert
Nussbaum, MD, chief medical officer of Invitae. "Now that
genetic testing is accessible and affordable, we must reevaluate
how we are using this powerful information to help improve
healthcare for patients and their families."
Rapid results and genetic counseling support available for
clinicians and patients
Invitae provides results in as few as 10 calendar days (14 days
on average). To help support clinicians and their patients, Invitae
offers clinicians access to its Clinical Consult Service, where
Invitae's expert team of medical geneticists and genetic counselors
provide support through the entire testing process to select the
right test, clarify results, and review individual patient cases at
no additional charge. Invitae also makes genetic counseling
services available as needed.
Invitae is a Medicare provider, and is in contract with major
national and regional commercial payers. The company is committed
to driving down the cost of genetic testing with simple and
transparent pricing, including a $475
up-front, patient-pay price for any test within a single clinical
area.
About Invitae
Invitae Corporation's (NYSE: NVTA)
mission is to bring comprehensive genetic information into
mainstream medical practice to improve the quality of healthcare
for billions of people. Invitae's goal is to aggregate most of the
world's genetic tests into a single service with higher quality,
faster turnaround time, and lower price than many single-gene and
panel tests today. The company currently provides a diagnostic
service comprising approximately 1,500 genes for a variety of
genetic disorders associated with oncology, cardiology, neurology,
pediatrics, and other rare disease areas, as well as a clinical
whole exome analysis service. Additionally, the company has created
a Genome Network to connect patients, clinicians, advocacy
organizations, researchers, and therapeutic developers to
accelerate the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of
hereditary disease. For more information, visit our website at
invitae.com.
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements
relating to data that shows a substantial portion of patients with
clinically significant genetic variants will be missed under
current testing guidelines; that patients who have variants in
certain genes may be more likely to have aggressive disease and
that genetic information about a number of genes may have
implications for treatment decisions. 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: risks associated
with the company's ability to use rapidly changing genetic data to
interpret test results accurately, consistently, and quickly; the
company's history of losses; 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 develop and
commercialize new tests and expand into new markets; 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 March 31, 2017. These forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date hereof, and Invitae Corporation disclaims
any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
NOTE: Invitae and the Invitae logo are trademarks of Invitae
Corporation. All other trademarks and service marks are the
property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Laura D'Angelo
pr@invitae.com
314-920-0617
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SOURCE Invitae Corporation