SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Investigators from
Northwestern University Feinberg School
of Medicine and Invitae (NYSE: NVTA), a medical genetics company,
will present the results of a collaborative study on genetic
testing for heritable cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias at the
American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions on
Saturday, Nov. 13. The study found
combined genetic testing for heritable cardiomyopathies and
arrhythmias identified clinically relevant variants for one in five
patients suspected of having one of these conditions. Two-thirds of
the positive findings were projected to have clinical management
implications, and more than 10% of patients would have been missed
with narrower panels specific to either cardiomyopathy or
arrhythmia.
"Genetic testing for heritable cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia is
recommended by cardiology professional societies, and this study
underscores the value of using genetic information to improve
diagnosis and treatment of these potentially life-threatening
conditions that can cause heart failure and sudden cardiac death,"
said Elizabeth M. McNally, M.D.,
Ph.D., Director, Center for Genetic Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine. "This research demonstrated the advantages of using a
comprehensive, multi-condition gene panel to diagnose and provide
critical insights that clinicians can use to tailor
treatments."
The study sought to better understand the outcome and treatment
implications of combined cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia genetic
testing for genes associated with suspected cardiac genetic
conditions. The research found that 20% of 4,782 patients had a
positive test result, and of the positive results, 66% were
projected to have clinical-management implications, such as genes
associated with targeted therapy or increased risk of ventricular
arrhythmia. From these positive results, 10.9% of the evaluable
patients would have been missed had they only had a
condition-specific panel, rather than the combined cardiomyopathy
and arrhythmia genetic test.
"Despite guidelines, genetic testing isn't as routine as it
should be and this study reinforces the need to increase access to
testing," said Robert Nussbaum,
M.D., chief medical officer of Invitae. "With clinically relevant
findings in 20% of the patients studied, and two-thirds of those
projected to have clinical management implications, increasing
access to genetic information may help clinicians facilitate
earlier interventions and optimize treatment."
The data from this study stem from the Invitae Detect program,
which launched in 2019 to offer sponsored, no-cost genetic testing
for conditions in which testing is underutilized and can improve
diagnosis and treatment. The study examined data from a one-year
interval spanning 2019 to 2020.
About Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
Located in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine, founded in 1859,
has built a national reputation for excellence through a strong
history of collaborative, interdisciplinary medical education and
research. Along with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and
Northwestern Medical Group, Feinberg is part of the premier
academic health system known as Northwestern
Medicine. Feinberg stands out among the nation's
research-intensive medical schools and consistently receives high
marks in U.S. News & World Report surveys. Through its
affiliates, it provides patient care to thousands of individuals
every year, and plays an integral part in the communities it
serves. The Center for Genetic Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
is dedicated to improving the understanding of fundamental genetic
mechanisms and the genetic basis of human disease. The center
supports its member scientists by providing state-of-the-art core
facilities, formal academic programs and public-education
events.
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 implications of the
study results; the benefits of multi-condition gene panels to
identify and inform treatment of heritable cardiomyopathies and
arrhythmias; and that increasing access to genetic information may
help clinicians facilitate earlier interventions and optimize
treatment. 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, 2021. These forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date hereof, and Invitae Corporation disclaims
any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Contact:
pr@invitae.com
(628) 213-3283
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